Chapter 7 Sterilization and Disinfection of Patient-Care Items

52 From Policy to Practice: OSAP’s Guide to the Guidelines

WhatIf...

... a sterile instrumentpack falls on thefloor? Is it still sterile?

If you drop a sterile in-strument pack, inspect thepackage for damage to thewrap or the contents. Ifpackaging is compromisedin any way — that is, if itis torn, punctured, or wet— repackage the contentsin new packaging materialand sterilize it again.

Storing Sterile and Clean Patient-Care ItemsIf available, use closed or covered cabinets to store dental supplies and in-struments to keep sterile packs away from contaminants. Never store dentalsupplies and instruments under sinks or in other locations where they canbecome wet.

Use either date- or event-related storage. Date-related storage uses shelf lifeand the “first in, first out” principle to store and distribute sterile instru-ment packs. The event-related approach recognizes that the contents of asterile package should remain sterile indefinitely, unless some circumstance— such as moisture or a tear in the packaging material — causes it to be-come contaminated.

Always inspect packages containing sterile supplies before use. If the pack-age is moist, torn, or otherwise compromised, clean contents again, repack-age using new wrap, and sterilize the items again.

Sterile instrument packages that are cooland dry can be handled with clean hands.

Store sterile instrument packages andclean patient-care items in closed or covered drawers or cabinets to protectthem from droplet spatter and other contaminants.

Wait for instrument packs to cool afterthe sterilization cycle. Handling hot andwet packages can transmit bacteria fromthe hands.

If you drop a sterile instrument pack...

Inspect the package

If it is torn,punctured, or

or wet...

If packaginghas not beendamaged...

Items insideare safe for use

Discard thecompromised

packaging,reclean the

instruments,repackageusing freshwrap, and

sterilize again