Sterilization Part 1

Course Description: Sterilization: Part 1

• Introduction:Overview of the importance and principles of sterilization in healthcare settings.
  
• Section 1: Environmental Conditions and Sterilization BasicsEnvironmental Conditions: Understanding the impact of environmental conditions on sterilization processes.
  Principles of Sterilization: Fundamental principles that underpin effective sterilization.
  Sterilization: Detailed study of the sterilization process.
  2 Basic Steam Cycles: Overview of the basic steam sterilization cycles.
  
• Section 2: Advanced Sterilization ConceptsSteam Quality: Importance of steam quality in the sterilization process.
  IUSS (Immediate-Use Steam Sterilization): Understanding the applications and limitations of IUSS.
  Processing Prions: Special considerations for sterilizing prion-contaminated instruments.
  
• Section 3: Practical Sterilization TechniquesDrying: The role of drying in the sterilization process.
  Wet Packs: Identifying and preventing wet packs.
  Loading the Sterilizer: Best practices for loading sterilizers to ensure effective sterilization.
  
• Section 4: Monitoring and Documentation4 Types of Monitoring the Sterilization Process: Methods for monitoring sterilization to ensure compliance and efficacy.
  Documentation: Importance of accurate documentation in the sterilization process.
  Lot Control: Procedures for lot control to track sterilized items.
  Cycle Monitoring Products: Overview of products used to monitor sterilization cycles.
  
• Section 5: Testing and Release ProceduresBowie-Dick Test: Understanding the Bowie-Dick test for steam penetration.
  Types of PCDs (Process Challenge Devices): Various types of PCDs used in sterilization.
  Routine Load Release: Procedures for routine load release and ensuring sterilization effectiveness.
  

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will:

• Understand the principles and environmental conditions essential for effective sterilization.
• Learn about different steam cycles and the importance of steam quality.
• Be equipped with the skills to handle and process prion-contaminated instruments.
• Gain knowledge of practical techniques for drying, loading sterilizers, and preventing wet packs.
• Master the methods for monitoring the sterilization process and the importance of accurate documentation and lot control.