(10) If connector must be attached to the lumen before sterilization, moisten it
with distilled/demineralized water.
(11) Place items so that steam and gas can circulate freely.
(12) Standardize number of sponges placed on trays.
(13) Place the appropriate sterilization process monitor in the tray.
(14) Double wrap each tray in a permeable wrapper large enough to ensure
ample coverage of the entire tray. The closure must be secured with appropriate
sterilization indicator tape.
(15) Identify each tray, preferably with pressure-sensitive preprinted labels.
c. Sterilizing. Although moist-heat sterilization is the preferred method of
sterilizing trays, heat-sensitive materials, including electrical equipment, are sterilized
with ethylene oxide gas. To sterilize you will:
(1) Wrap each tray in a permeable wrapper large enough to ensure ample
coverage of the entire tray. The closure must be secured with appropriate sterilization
indicator tape.
(2) Identify the tray with pressure-sensitive preprinted labels or
pressure-sensitive tape with the identification written on tape.
(3)
Put the set on its side in the autoclave carriage and sterilize as follows:
(a) Thirty minutes at 250F (121C), gravity-displacement sterilizer.
(b) Fifteen minutes at 272 to 276F (132C), prevacuum,
high-temperature sterilizer.
(c) For gas sterilization, the required time, concentration, temperature,
and humidity is shown in Table 3-4.
(4) Allow the trays to dry, remove them from the autoclave, and allow them
to cool on a nonmetal surface. They should not lie flat on the surface, but in such a way
the air can circulate around the tray.
(5) For trays sterilized in EO gas, you must allow aeration time as
prescribed in Table 3-1.
d. Dating and Storing. After the sterilization cycle is completed, you must add
the load control number and expiration date to each tray and store in a sterile area.
MD0937
4-5
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