equipment sterilization/ hiv-hep

NPinWCH · May 17, 2007

When I worked in an OB/GYN office we had some sort of solution that we used to pre-clean our instruments BEFORE autoclaving, but if you read the bottle there were actually instructions for chemical sterilization (use full strength, cover instrument and leave soaking x hrs).

Personally, I want to see the autoclave tape change color so I know that the bugs are dead.

Crux1024 · May 17, 2007

A question for all of you Surgical/urology nurses out there. I have a friend that's an MA in a urology office. It's been so long since I really worried about the sterilization of equipment that I'm not up to date. (spoiled working in an ER or ICU , where it's all done and handed to us). Any way, they soak the equipment in a soluntion , dry it and use it from pt to pt in cysto's etc. Bx's and vasect. Is this OK now with distroying HIV, HEp etc. I know that in dental offices they use autoclave or gas to sterilize. But , I'm not sure what the standard of practice is now. Maybe I'm paranoid, but I wouldn't want equipment that was wiped down and soked used anywhere near mucosa that may already by irritated or suseptable to organisms.

After they soak, and wash off they should be terminally sterilizing these scopes. Autoclave, ETO Gas, Steris..any of these are acceptable. Its ok to ask the office or your friend what their practices are. This shouldnt be hidden information..:)

:monkeydance:

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · May 17, 2007

Where I worked previously we soaked everything in Cidex for a minimum of 24 hours (overkill probably, but that's just usually the way it turned out). Then autoclaved it.

Technically, the instruments are sterile after being in Cidex for a certain # of hours (can't remember off the top of my head) but autclaving I think is still required with the sterilization indicator.

HIV is so easy to kill outside the body. It's other ickies like HepB & C that used to worry me more.

BigLineBacker · Oct 1, 2008

Where I worked previously we soaked everything in Cidex for a minimum of 24 hours (overkill probably, but that's just usually the way it turned out). Then autoclaved it.
Technically, the instruments are sterile after being in Cidex for a certain # of hours (can't remember off the top of my head) but autoclave I think is still required with the sterilization indicator.
HIV is so easy to kill outside the body. It's other ickies like HepB & C that used to worry me more.

Your Answer is most followed today with the use of Cidex, and the way shifts change usually 12 hours plus ends up the set point for Autoclavin', May not always be available, in the Disaster Areas, Fla teaches us that. White Vinegar acidic action is some times used prior to..Cidex in a compromised environment and surfaces in lab. Of Course the Indicator is required, or new supplies.

HIV is only 50 microns across in diameter and a very delicate virus, Drawing a Pheonotipic Assay on a Patient's HIV Blood Draw or IV's expanded , the clock counts down to seven minutes, with out immediate freezing, is already counting down to worthless, Hep's A,b,C and staph are " The bug's" that will do most harm to patients and staff, every growing