HTM 038 LEC 10

PATIENTS COMFORT

Improving patient comfort is an important aspect of increasing patient satisfaction , yet

healthcare providers sometimes ignore the little things that affect comfort to focus on bigger
issues. The soreness of a needle stick may seem negligible to healthcare veterans, but the pain—
even if it’s momentary—is a real concern for many patients.

While implementing patient comfort measures may only take a few minutes, the benefits tend to
be long-term. For example, introducing small changes can pay big dividends when it comes to
patient satisfaction survey results. Reducing patient discomfort and providing a better patient
experience can be as easy as using one of these three techniques.

1. Explaining the Procedure

If you’re about to give a patient an injection or are preparing to draw their blood, you might not
feel there’s much to discuss about the minor procedure. But a few reassuring words and a brief
explanation of the process can help decrease your patient's anxiety and make them feel more at
ease.

2. Get Them Involved

In addition to explaining treatment procedures to your patients, invite them to ask questions and
take a direct role in their care. One of the biggest stressors for a patient during a doctor’s visit or
hospital stay is the feeling of a lack of control. When patients are encouraged to voice their
concerns and offer their input, it not only helps them feel more comfortable with the process but
it can also help you provide better care since you may gain additional insight into their condition.

3. Applying a Topical Anesthetic

Using a topical anesthetic can reduce the sting of procedures that involve needles. However,
many healthcare providers assume an anesthetic isn’t needed since the procedure will only take a

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few seconds. But the simple act of applying a topical anesthetic to reduce the discomfort
associated with needle procedures can go a long way for patient comfort.

If you’ve been looking for a simple way to improve your patient satisfaction scores, focusing on
patient comfort during minor procedures offers a simple way to accomplish your goal. Johns
Hopkins researchers discovered the odds that a patient was satisfied with the care he or she
received were 4.86 times greater if his or her pain was controlled. The next time you’re
performing a needle procedure, be sure to consider the three tips above

Medical items and equipment that enhance patient comfort

1.Hospital / Sick room Bed

The bed should be comfortable and cleaning. Comfortability of the bed is achieved though a
professional bed making process

Purposes of bed making:

-To provide a clean, comfortable sleeping and resting environment for patient.
- To eliminate irritants to skin by providing wrinkle free sheets and blankets.
- To avoid patient exertion by making bed while occupied

- To enhance patient’s self-image by providing a clean neat, and comfortable bed.

- To establish nurse-patient relationship.
-To provide active and passive exercises to the clients.
- To properly dispose of soiled linens and prevent cross-contamination.

- To correctly align patients to assist in promoting a physically and emotionally safe and
comfortable position.
-To prevent stress to the nurse’s back or limbs during procedure.

Types of bed making

a) Admission bed (unoccupied bed)-A bed which will remain empty until the admission of
another client

b) Simple Bed- this is bed making done with the patient

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c)Cardiac bed- cardiac bed is to relieve dyspnea

d)Post- operative bed- a bed making prepared prior to receive post-operative patient following
general anesthesia.

e) Fracture bed- a bed making prepared prior to receive patient with fractured. Prepare simple
bed with fracture board, splints and sand bag

Responsibilities of bedmaking
Before:
- Assess patient’s need for linen changed.
-Determine patient’s present condition permits a change of bed linen.
-Determine patient’s prescribed level of activity and any special precaution in
movement.
-Assess patient’s ability to get out of bed during linen change.
-Determine the number of clean linen are required.
- Check patient’s unit for available linens.

During
- Provide privacy according to type of bed making.
-Create ample working place by move furniture away from the bed and move the
bed away from the wall.
- Place the chair at the foot end of the bed and place the linen in the reverse order of use.
- Place the laundry bag within the reach.
- Fold miter corner for each corner of the mattress..
- Tuck bed sheet tightly under mattress to create wrinkles free surface.
- Ensure pillow place at the center of bed with open end away from the main entrance.

After
- Assist patient get into the bed.
- Ensure the unit is clean, dry and free from wrinkles.
- Ensure patient’s skin is free from any irritants.
-Ensure soiled linens are discarded appropriately according to hospital policies.
-Record any abnormality found in patient.

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2. Side rails
• It should be attached to both sides of the bed
_ Full rails – run the length of the bed
– Half rails _ run only half the length of the bed and commonly attached to the pediatrics bed.

3. Bed Side Table/Cabinet

• Is a small cabinet that generally consists of a drawer and a cupboard area with shelves
• Used to store the utensils needed for clients care.
Includes the washbasin (bath basin, emesis (kidney) basin, bed pan and urinal
• Has a towel rack on either sides or along the back
• Is best for storing personal items that are desired nearby or that will be used frequently
E.g. soap, shampoo, lotion etc

4. The Chair
• Most basic care units have at least one chair located near the bedside
• For the use of the client, a visitor, or a care provider

5. Overhead Light (examination light)

• Is usually placed at the head of the bed, attached to either the wall or the ceiling
• A movable lamp may also be used
• Useful for the client for reading or doing close work
• Important for the nurse during assessment

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LECTURE 12

TREATMENT AND HANDLING OF PATIENTS

The process of treatment commences once the patient has been admitted

A. Admission

Admission is a process of receiving a new patient to an individual unit (ward) of the hospital.

(Hospitalized individuals have many needs and concerns that must be identified then prioritized

and for which action must be taken).

Purpose

• To help a new patient to adjust to hospital environment and routines.

• To alleviate the patient's fear and worry about the hospitalization.

• To facilitate recovery of patient from his/her problems

Nurse's Responsibilities during Admission of a Patient to Hospital

1. Check for orders of admission.

2. Check about financial issue, payment scheme (free or paying)

3. Assess the patient's immediate need and take action to meet them. These needs can be physical

(e.g. acute pain) or emotional distress, (upset)

4. Make introduction and orient the patient

• Greet the patient

• Introduce self to the patient and the family

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• Explain what will occur during the admission process (admission routines) such as admission

bath, put on hospital gowns etc.

• Orient patient to individual unit: Bed, bathroom, call light, supplies and belonging; and how

these items work for patient use.

• Orient patient to the entire unit: location of nurses office, lounge etc.

• Explain anything you expect a patient to do in detail.

(This helps the patients participate in their care).

• Introduce other staff and roommates.

5. Perform baseline assessment

General assessment

a. Observation and physical examination such as:

• Vital signs; temperature pulse, respiration and blood pressure.

• Intake and output

• Measure the weight of the patient

• Height is measured (if required)

b. Interview patient and take nursing history to determine

the patient conditions.

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6. Take care of the patient's personal property

• Items that are not needed can be sent home with family members

• Other important items can be kept at bedside or should be put in safe place by cabling with

patient's name.

7. Documentation

• Record all parts of the admission process

• Other recording includes ;

⇐ Notification to dietary departments

⇐ Starting Kardex card and medication records

⇐ If there is specific form to the facility, complete it.

N.B. Additional measures can be carried out according to the patient problems (diagnoses).

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 The process of examination and treatment

REMOVING CLOTHING
To make a thorough examination of a casualty, is necessary. If you need to cut a garment, try to
obtain an accurate diagnosis or give treatment,
cut along the seams, keeping the clothing clear
you may have to remove some of his clothing.of the casualty’s injury. Maintain the casualty’s
This should be done with the minimum of privacy and prevent exposure to cold. Stop if
disturbance to the casualty and with his removing clothing increases the casualty’s
agreement if possible. Remove as little clothing
discomfort or pain.
as possible and do not damage clothing unless it

REMOVING CLOTHING IN LOWER BODY INJURIES

Shoes Socks Trousers

Untie any laces, support the ankle
and carefully pull the shoe off by
the heel. To remove long boots,
you may need to cut them down
the back seam.
Remove socks by pulling them
off gently. If this is not possible,
lift each sock away from the leg
and cut the fabric with a pair
of scissors.
Gently pull up the trouser leg
to expose the calf and knee or pull
down from the waist. If you need
to cut clothing, lift it clear of the
casualty’s injury.

REMOVING CLOTHING IN UPPER BODY INJURIES

Jackets Sweaters and sweatshirts

Support the injured arm. Undo any fastenings on the With clothing that cannot be unfastened, begin by
jacket and gently pull the garment off the casualty’s easing the arm on the uninjured side out of its sleeve.
shoulders. Remove the arm on the uninjured side from Next, roll up the garment and stretch it over the
its sleeve. Pull the garment round to the injured side casualty’s head. Finally, slip off the other sleeve of the
of the body and ease it off the injured arm. garment, taking care not to disturb her arm on the
injured side.

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 Casualty/ patient handling

REMOVING CLOTHING | REMOVING HEADGEAR

REMOVING HEADGEAR
Protective headgear,such as a riding hat or a motorcyclist’s CAUTION
crash helmet, is best left on; it should be removed only if
Do not remove a helmet unless
absolutely necessary, for example, if you cannot maintain an absolutely necessary.
open airway. If the item does need to be removed, the casualty
should do this herself if possible; otherwise, you and a helper
should remove it. Take care to support the head and neck at all
times and keep the head aligned with the spine.

REMOVING AN OPEN-FACE OR RIDING HELMET

1 Undo or cut throughthe

chinstrap. Support the
casualty’s head and neck,
keeping them aligned with the
spine. Hold the lower jaw with
one hand and support the neck
with the other hand.

2 Ask a helperto grip the

sides of the helmet and pull
them apart to take pressure off
the head, then lift the helmet
upwards and backwards.

REMOVING A FULL-FACE HELMET

Undo or cut the straps.Working from the base Continue to supportthe casualty’s neck and
1 2
of the helmet, ease your fingers underneath lower jaw. Ask your helper, working from
the rim. Support the back of the neck with one above, to tilt the helmet backwards (without
hand and hold the lower jaw firmly. Ask a helper to moving the head) and gently lift the front of the
hold the helmet with both hands. helmet clear of the casualty’s chin.

Maintain support on the head and neck. Ask your helper to tilt
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the helmet forwards slightly so that it will pass over the base of
the skull, and then to lift it straight off the casualty’s head.

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If you need to move a casualty, take the following steps to ensure safety.
■■Select a method relevant to the situation, the casualty’s condition and the help and equipment that is available.
■■Use a team. Appoint one person to coordinate the move and make sure that the team understands exactly what to
do.
■■Plan your move carefully and make sure that everyone is prepared.
■■Prepare any equipment and make sure that the team and equipment are in position.
■■Use the correct technique to avoid injuring the casualty, yourself or any helpers.
■■Ensure the safety and comfort of the casualty, yourself and any helpers.
■■Always explain to the casualty what is happening, and encourage him to cooperate as much as possible.
■■Position yourself as close as possible to the casualty’s body.
■■Adopt a stable base, with your feet shoulderwidth apart, so that you remain well balanced and maintain good
posture at all times during the procedure.
■■Use the strongest muscles in your legs and arms to power the move. Bend your knees.

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 Principles of bandaging

TECHNIQUES AND EQUIPMENT

«DRESSINGS
STERILE PAD AND GAUZE DRESSINGS
CAUTION If there is no sterile wound dressing
with bandage available,
use a sterile pad or make a pad out of pieces of gauze. Make sure
■■Never apply adhesive tape all
the way around a limb or digit
the pad is large enough to extend well beyond the edges of the
wound. Hold the dressing face down; never touch the part of
since this can impair circulation.
■■Check that the casualty is not
the dressing that will be in contact with a wound. Secure the
allergic to the adhesive before dressing with tape. If you need to maintain pressure to control
using adhesive tape; if there is bleeding, use a bandage.
any allergy, use a pad and
bandage instead.

WHAT TO DO

2 Secure the pad

with adhesive tape or a roller
1 Holding the dressing
or pad by the edges,
place it directly on to the wound. bandage.

IMPROVISED DRESSINGS
If you have no suitable dressings,
any clean edges, unfold it, then refold it so that the clean
non-fluffy material can be used in an emergency.inner side can be placed against the wound.
If using a piece of folded cloth, hold it by its

WHAT TO DO

1 Hold the material

by the
2 Place the cloth pad 3 Secure the pad with a
edges. Open it out and directly on to the wound. If bandage or a clean strip
refold it so that the inner surfacenecessary, cover the pad with of cloth, such as a scarf. Tie
faces outwards. more material. the ends in a reef knot (p.250).

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  RULES FOR APPLYING A BANDAGE/ Principles of bandaging

■■Reassure the casualty before applying a bandage and explain clearly what you are going to do

■■Help the casualty to sit or lie down in a comfortable position.

■■Support the injured part of the body while you are working on it. Ask the casualty or a helper

to assist.

■■Work from the front of the casualty, and from the injured side where possible.

■■Pass the bandages through the body’s natural hollows at the ankles, knees, waist and neck, then

slide them into position by easing them back and forth under the body.

■■Apply bandages firmly, but not so tightly that they interfere with circulation to the area beyond the

bandage (opposite).

■■Fingers or toes should be left exposed, if possible, so that you can check the circulation afterwards.

■■Use reef knots to tie bandages . Ensure that the knots do not cause discomfort, and do not tie the

knot over a bony area. Tuck loose ends under a knot if possible, to provide additional padding.

■■Check the circulation in the area beyond the bandage (opposite) every ten minutes once it is

secure. If necessary, unroll the bandage until the blood supply returns, and reapply it more loosely.

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B. Transfer of the patient to another unit

Transfer of the patient to another unit is done for several reasons.

Procedure

- Explain the transfer to the client and the family

- Assemble all the client’s personal belongings, charts, x-films and lab reports. Double check for

all other cloths and materials.

- Determine how the client is moved

-Provide for client safety. Take measures to accommodate bottles, drains and catheters. Protect

the client from draft, and cover the client with a blanket for warmth and privacy.

- Collect all the client medications; IV bags tube feedings, and so forth. Check the cardex or

medication administration record for accuracy.

- Review the client’s health records and check for completeness.

- Record the transfer in a transfer note. Give the time, the unit to which the transfer occurs, types

of transportation wheelchair, stretcher), and the client’s physical and psychological condition

-Make sure that the receiving unit is ready. Usually a short verbal report is given to the receiving

department nurse.

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C. Discharging a Patient

Indications for discharge

• Progress in the patient's condition

• No change in the patient's condition (Referral)

• Against medical advice

• Death

Nurse's Responsibility during Discharging a Patient

1. Check for orders that a patient need to be discharged

2. Plan for continuing care of the patient

• Referral as necessary

• Give information for a person involved in the patient care.

• Contact family or significant others, if needed.

• Facilitate transportation with responsible unit

3. Teaching the patient about

• What to expect about disease outcome

• Medications (Treatments)

• Activity

• Diet

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• Need for continued health supervision, and others as needed

4. Do final assessment of physical and emotional status of the patient and the ability to continue

own care.

5. Check and return all patients’ personal property (bath items in patient unit and those kept in

safe area).

6. Help the patient or family to deal with business office for customary financial matters and in

obtaining supplies.

7. Keep records

o Write discharge note

o Keep special forms for facility

Discharge summaries usually include:

• Description of client’s condition at discharge

• Treatment (e.g. Wound care, Current medication)

• Diet

• Activity level

• Restrictions

• Any active health problems

• Current medication

• Current treatments that are to be continued

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• Eating and sleeping habits

• Self-care abilities

• Support networks

• Life-style patterns

• Religious preferences

Discharging a patient against medical advice (AMA)

1. When the patient wants to leave an agency without the permission of the physician/nurse in

charge – an authorized.

2. Ascertain why the person wants to leave the agency

3. Notify the physician/ nurse in charge of the client’s decision

4. Offer the patient the appropriate form to complete

5. If the client refuses to sign the form, document the fact on the form and have another health

professional witness this

6. Provide the patient with the original of the signed form and place a copy in the record

7. When the patient leaves the agency, notify the physician, nurse in charge, and agency

administration as appropriate

8. Assist the patient to leave as if this were a usual discharge from the agency (the agency is still

responsible while the patient is on premises)

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LECTURE 13

WASHING AND DISINFECTION OF MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

The washing process

The process of manual cleaning is that that has to be realized in all material that by his

particular characteristics of fragility, composition, etc. It does not allow another system. Or for

all material that precise a prewashing by the quantity of embedded dirt.

We can differentiate go in:

- Cleaning: extraction of all dirt adhered. Realize by means of water and detergent. It is

the previous step to the disinfection and sterilization. His process includes: rinse,

lather, rinse and dry.

- Disinfection: destruction of microorganisms (except some bacterial spores) by

procedure with chemical products.

Aims of cleaning

- Elimination of the organic matter of the material medical-surgical.

- Prepare material for his process of disinfection or sterilization.

- Prevention of nosocomial illnesses.

Preparation of the material before the cleaning procedure.

- The staff will dress with the uniform indicated for the zone of wash.

- Classify the material with the purpose to ensure that it is subjected to the correct

treatment.

- Verify the delivery of hot and cold water.

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- Verify the delivery of products: detergents.

- Inspect the material in search of some deficiency before the process of wash and signs of

corrosive or oxide deterioration.

- Verify if there is sharp material … that can be dangerous and value the need of protection.

- Locate the very specific material and small (screws, connections…) that can lose during the

process of cleaning and give them a deal of special attention.

- Withdrawal of all that material that does not have to be washed (papers, odd objects…)

- Act by means of the classification and characteristic of the material.

Items needed for the cleaning purposes

- Enzymatic soap-neutral

- Specific soap for engines

- Lubricates

- Racks and deep containers to submerge the material

- Grids and support fittings for the material

- Brushes, sponges, cleaning cloth and 50cc syringes

- Cap of hammer of wash

- Mixed paper

- Barren size

Disinfection

It is the process of cleaning something, especially with a chemical, in order to destroy bacteria.

"instruments must undergo high-level disinfection before reuse

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Methods of disinfection

Generally, two methods of disinfection are used: chemical and physical.

The chemical methods

The chemical methods use chemical agents.

Chemical Disinfectant Groups

a. Aldehydes: (Formaldehyde, Paraformaldehyde, Glutaraldehyde)

Formaldehyde – and its polymerized solid paraformaldehyde have broad-spectrum biocidal

activity and are both effective for surface and space decontamination. As a liquid (5%

concentration), formaldehyde is an effective liquid decontaminant.

Paraformaldehyde – is a solid polymer of formaldehyde. Paraformaldehyde generates

formaldehyde gas when it is depolymerized by heating to 232 to 246°C (450 to 475°F); the

depolymerized material reacts with the moisture in the air to form formaldehyde gas. This

process is used for the decontamination of large spaced and laminar-flow biological safety

cabinets when maintenance work or filter changes require access to the sealed portion of the

cabinet. A neutralization step, heating ammonium carbonate, is required prior to ventilation of

the space. Formaldehyde gas can react violently or explosively (7.0 – 73% v/v in air), when

exposed to incompatibles, therefore, only individuals that have specific training and have been

approved by the Dept. of Environmental Health & Safety are permitted to use this gas.

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Glutaraldehyde – is a colorless liquid and has the sharp, pungent odor typical of all aldehydes,

with an odor threshold of 0.04 parts per million (ppm). It is capable of sterilizing equipment,

though to effect sterilization often requires many hours of exposure.

b. Halogen-Based Biocides: (Chlorine Compounds and Iodophores)

1. Chlorine Compounds

Chlorine compounds are good disinfectants on clean surfaces, but are quickly inactivated by

organic matter and thus reducing the biocidal activity. They have a broad spectrum of

antimicrobial activity and are inexpensive and fast acting. Hypochlorite’s, the most widely used

of the chlorine disinfectants, are available in liquid (e.g., Sodium hypochlorite), household

bleach and solid (e.g., calcium hypochlorite, sodium dichloroisocyanurate) forms. Household

bleach has an available chlorine content of 5.25%,

2. Iodophors

Iodophors are used both as antiseptics and disinfectants. An iodophor is a combination of iodine

and a solubilizing agent or carrier; the resulting complex provides a sustained-release reservoir

of iodine and releases small amounts of free iodine in aqueous solution. Antiseptic iodophors are

not suitable for use as hard-surface disinfectants because they contain significantly less free

iodine than do those formulated as disinfectants.

Both bleach and iodophors should be made up in cold water in order to prevent breakdown

of the disinfectant.

c. Quaternary Ammonium Compounds

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Quaternary ammonium compounds are generally odorless, colorless, nonirritating, and

deodorizing. They also have some detergent action, and they are good disinfectants

d. Phenolics: (O-phosphonate-base Compounds)

Phenolics are phenol (carbolic acid) derivatives. These biocides act through membrane damage

and are effective against enveloped viruses, rickettsia, fungi and vegetative bacteria. They also

retain more activity in the presence of organic material than other disinfectants. Cresols,

hexachlorophene, alkyl- and choro derivatives and diphenyl’s are more active than phenol itself.

e. Acids/Alkalis:

Strong mineral acids and alkalis have disinfectant properties proportional to the extent of their

dissociation in solution. Some hydroxides are more effective than would be predicted from their

values. In general acids are better disinfectants than alkalis. Mode of action is attributed to an

increase of H+ and OH– species in solutions which interfere with certain microbial functions,

however the total effect is not only dependent on pH alone. Weak organic acids are more potent

than inorganic acids despite low dissociation rates in solution.

f. Heavy Metals:

Soluble salts of mercury, silver lactate, mercuric chloride and mercurous chloride are efficient

bactericidal agents. Silver nitrate and mercuric chloride are commonly used as 1:1000 aqueous

solutions. Action is through attack on protein sulfhydryl groups and disruption of enzyme

functions.

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g. Alcohols:

Alcohols work through the disruption of cellular membranes, solubilization of lipids, and

denaturation of proteins by acting directly on S-H functional groups. Ethyl and isopropyl

alcohols are the two most widely used alcohols for their biocidal activity. These alcohols are

effective against lipid-containing viruses and a broad spectrum of bacterial species, but

ineffective against spore-forming bacteria. They evaporate rapidly, which makes extended

contact times difficult to achieve unless the items are immersed.

Physical methods of disinfection

•Cleaning-

•Sunlight

•Desiccation

•Heat

•Filtration

• Radiation

Sterilization

It is the process of making something free from bacteria or other living microorganisms.

Sterilization

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 eliminates, removes, kills, or deactivates all forms of life (in particular referring to

microorganisms such as fungi, bacteria, viruses, spores, unicellular eukaryotic organisms such as

Plasmodium,

Some methods of sterilizing medical equipment are as follows.

1. Steam Sterilization

Most sterile processing departments have steam sterilizers called autoclaves. This is because

steam can clean many common medical devices, and it's typically the safest and cheapest option.

Some technicians will only consider using another method when the medical device is made of a

heat-sensitive material or cannot be steam sterilized. The autoclave applies intense pressure and

heat to destroy all microorganisms on an object.

With steam sterilization, an appropriate decontaminant is used to clean the outside surfaces of

the medical equipment. You can prevent damage by using either paper or cotton to wrap the

instruments before the process starts. For best results, you must expose the steam to all

equipment surfaces. When you place the equipment inside a steam sterilizer, be sure you leave

enough spaces between various pieces so each piece can freely move. You should refer to the

manufacturer’s manual before using the steam sterilizer.

2. Dry Heat Sterilization

When steam cannot penetrate an instrument or can destroy it, your next logical option is dry heat.

Dry heat is a strong but slow technique requiring high temperatures and time. Because of this, it's

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not suitable for many materials, but it's often still more reliable than various other options. Dry

heat sterilization uses air of around 340 degrees F to kill microbial life.

3. Chemical Sterilization

Prepared chemical solutions are involved in this process. Some chemicals often used in

sterilization are:

 Ozone

 Ethylene oxide

 Hydrogen peroxide

 Bleach

These chemicals have the power to kill a broad range of pathogens and have properties that could

be harmful to humans. You submerge the equipment into the prepared chemical completely for a

certain amount of time until the pathogens die. Once sterilized, rinse off the equipment and allow

it to dry. Chemical sterilization isn't suitable for biological materials, fiber optics and other

highly heat-sensitive materials.

4. Plasma Gas Sterilizers

This type of sterilization uses low temp hydrogen peroxide-based gas plasma inside a chamber to

kill any microorganisms on dental and medical equipment, including spores, bacteria, fungi and

viruses. When you add vaporized hydrogen peroxide to the chamber, it sterilizes the enclosed

equipment. Once you remove the vapor from the chamber, it produces a plasma of a lower

temperature, which ensures total sterilization for all equipment.

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Oxygen and water are the remainder of this process and make these sterilizers safe for both the

environment and medical staff. While this is a more costly method, it's extremely effective and

an excellent option for medical equipment and tools that are moisture sensitive.

5. Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide (VHP) Sterilizers

Like with plasma sterilization, you also use hydrogen peroxide vapor with VHP sterilizers, but

you don't use plasma gas when within the sterilization process. VHP sterilization removes

humidity from within an enclosure, and a generator rapidly injects VHP to reach an ideal

concentration for sterilizing equipment.

Microorganisms that could be present are removed effectively by the vapors, sterilizing the

enclosure. The process is then reversed by the generator, which breaks down the vapor into eco-

friendly elements. VHP sterilization has a low cycle time, which results in having the capability

to sterilize high volume batches of equipment

Some benefits of sterilizing medical equipment include:

1. It eliminates pus, blood, foreign particles and dirt left behind that could lead to dangerous

complications for the next patient requiring surgery where the medical practitioner uses

the instrument.

2. It decreases bioburden -- the number of non-sterilized bacteria living on a surface.

3. It prevents the corrosion of expensive and highly precise tools that have delicate pivots

and hinges.

4. It removes the breeding ground for the surviving germs.

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 5. It ensures the safe transport of equipment needing to be packed and assembled for

sterilization or disinfection.

Guide lines for Disposing of Contaminated Equipment

• Disposable gloves: place in isolation bag separate from burnable trash and direct to appropriate

hospital area for disposal

• Glass equipment: Bag separately from metal equipment and return to CSR (Central

Sterilization Room).

• Metal equipment: Bag all equipment together, label and return to CSR

• Rubber and plastic items: Bag items separately and return to CSR for gas sterilization.

• Dishes: Requires no special precautions unless contaminated with infected material; then bag,

label and return to Kitchen.

• Plastic or paper dishes: Dispose of these items in burnable trash.

• Soiled linens: place in laundry bag, and send to separate area of laundry room from special

care. If possible place linens hot-water-soluble bag. This method is safes for

handling as bag may be placed directly into washing machine. (Double-bagging is usually

required because these bags are easily punctured or torn. They also dissolve when

wet.)

• Food and liquids: Dispose of these items by putting them in toilet – flush thoroughly

• Needles and syringes: Do not recap needles; place in puncture proof (resistant) container.

• Sphygmomanometer and stethoscope: Require no special precaution unless they are

contaminated. If contaminated, disinfect using the appropriate cleaning protocol based on

the infective agent.

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Thermometers: Dispose of electronic probes cover with burnable trash. If probe or machine is

contaminated, clean with appropriate disinfectant or infective agent. If reasonable thermometers

are used, disinfect with appropriate solution

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