TL;DR
Sterilization: Complete destruction of all microbial life including bacterial spores through physical or chemical methods.
Sterilization
Definition
Complete destruction of all microbial life including bacterial spores through physical or chemical methods.
Overview
Sterilization destroys all microbial life including spores. Required for items entering sterile body cavities or contacting the vascular system. Spaulding classification: critical (sterilize), semi-critical (high-level disinfect), non-critical (low-level disinfect).
Methods
- Steam autoclave: most common. Gravity 121°C/30 min. Prevacuum 132°C/4 min.
- Ethylene oxide: low-temp gas, 2–5 hrs plus aeration. Heat-sensitive items.
- Hydrogen peroxide plasma (Sterrad): 28–75 min. Cannot use with cellulose.
- Peracetic acid (Steris): liquid, 30 min. Endoscopes.
- Dry heat: 160–170°C for 1–2 hrs. Moisture-sensitive items.
Indicators
Mechanical: gauges confirming time/temp/pressure. Chemical: color-change indicators (external tape, internal). Biological: gold standard—bacterial spores incubated after processing. Run daily and with implant loads.
Quality
Bowie-Dick test daily for prevacuum sterilizers. Inspect every package before use. Immediate-use sterilization: emergencies only, never for convenience.
Why It Matters
Methods, indicators, and quality assurance are extensively tested on the CST exam.
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