Joint Commission updates position on steam sterilization and flashing cycles
The Joint Commission will now be looking more broadly at all of the critical processes included in sterilization when interpreting standards and surveying facilities, including processes for flash sterilization.
This means any healthcare facility accredited by The Joint Commission will need to be able to demonstrate the use of a complete and effective process of sterilization for all sterilization modalities.
Cleaning, decontaminating, sterilizing and transporting are essential steps in the sterilization process-steps that are recommended by AORN, the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) and other organizations.
The take away message from this updated position is that "regardless of the sterilization modality, it's the entire process that has to be in compliance," stressed Sheila Mitchell, RN, BSN, MS, CNOR, perioperative nursing specialist in AORN's Center for Nursing Practice.
Mitchell said users should refer to AORN and AAMI recommended practices for comprehensive guidance on the complete sterilization process, including AORN's Recommended Practices for Sterilization in the Perioperative Practice Setting in Perioperative Standards and Recommended Practices, 2009 ed., pages 650-653) and the ANSI/AAMI ST-79 2006/AI:2008 Comprehensive Guide to Steam Sterilization and Sterility Assurance in Health Care Facilities (2008 ed., pages 43-79 and 116).
"Perioperative nurses not familiar with the AAMI ST:79 standards can contact their facility's sterile processing staff for more information," Mitchell said, adding that relevant recommendations from the AAMI ST:79 guide are in included in AORN's Recommended Practices for Sterilization in the Perioperative Practice Setting.
A concise review of the recommended complete sterilization process can also be found in the May 2009 issue of AORN Connections, page 10 or online at aorn.org/News/May2009News/Sterilization.
AORN staff and members, including members of the Sterile Processing/Materials Management Specialty Assembly continue to discuss the implications of this new position from The Joint Commission.
Read The Joint Commission's updated position on steam sterilization.
Read more news in AORN Management Connections.
This means any healthcare facility accredited by The Joint Commission will need to be able to demonstrate the use of a complete and effective process of sterilization for all sterilization modalities.
Cleaning, decontaminating, sterilizing and transporting are essential steps in the sterilization process-steps that are recommended by AORN, the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) and other organizations.
The take away message from this updated position is that "regardless of the sterilization modality, it's the entire process that has to be in compliance," stressed Sheila Mitchell, RN, BSN, MS, CNOR, perioperative nursing specialist in AORN's Center for Nursing Practice.
Mitchell said users should refer to AORN and AAMI recommended practices for comprehensive guidance on the complete sterilization process, including AORN's Recommended Practices for Sterilization in the Perioperative Practice Setting in Perioperative Standards and Recommended Practices, 2009 ed., pages 650-653) and the ANSI/AAMI ST-79 2006/AI:2008 Comprehensive Guide to Steam Sterilization and Sterility Assurance in Health Care Facilities (2008 ed., pages 43-79 and 116).
"Perioperative nurses not familiar with the AAMI ST:79 standards can contact their facility's sterile processing staff for more information," Mitchell said, adding that relevant recommendations from the AAMI ST:79 guide are in included in AORN's Recommended Practices for Sterilization in the Perioperative Practice Setting.
A concise review of the recommended complete sterilization process can also be found in the May 2009 issue of AORN Connections, page 10 or online at aorn.org/News/May2009News/Sterilization.
AORN staff and members, including members of the Sterile Processing/Materials Management Specialty Assembly continue to discuss the implications of this new position from The Joint Commission.
Read The Joint Commission's updated position on steam sterilization.
Read more news in AORN Management Connections.