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Web site spotlight: Steam sterilization is on Joint Commission's radar

Nurse Leader Weekly, September 10, 2009

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After working with multiple professional and trade organizations on the common and proper use of sterilization using steam, The Joint Commission has decided to refocus its survey efforts on all critical processes, including sterilization, according to a recent announcement by the agency. The accrediting body will consider sterilization an effective method if a complete process of sterilization is used.

The Joint Commission’s discussion focused on three main points:

• The terminology used to describe the sterilization process
• The indication-related issues that involve the selection of the sterilization cycle or method
• The process-related issues involving the way that a given sterilization method is executed

In addition, Joint Commission surveyors will focus on the critical steps of reprocessing. These steps include the cleaning and decontamination of all visible soil because steam cannot remove these compounds. Any sterilization must meet the parameters by the manufacturer of the sterilizer and the surgical instrument and the maker of any packaging. Also, each sterilized instrument must be carefully protected when being transported to a sterile field.

Editor’s note: This excerpt was adapted from the article, “Steam sterilization is on Joint Commission’s radar”  featured in The Reading Room on HCPro’s online resource center, www.StrategiesforNurseManagers.com.

Do you need continuing education (CE) credits? Check out this month’s CE article to learn about flu pandemic preparation or visit our archives and view a compilation of CE articles (marked with an asterisk).

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