The 3 Levels of Infection Control

1. The 3 Levels of Infection Control

2. Sterile Field • An area free of microorganisms that will be used as a work area during a surgical procedure • A sterile field is considered to become contaminated and must be redone when… • An unsterile item touches the field • Some one reaches across the field • The field becomes wet

3. Level #1 Sanitization • Prepare a large basin with hot, soapy water and separate sharps from non-sharps • Carefully place instruments in the detergent solution to soak • Scrub each item with a plastic scrub brush ensuring to remove any visible signs of contamination (blood, tissue, etc.) • Rinse each piece of equipment under hot running water ensuring that all soap is removed • Place each instrument on a clean paper towel, rolling it to make sure it dries thoroughly • Wipe down the area with damp towel and use a new paper towel to ensure that the area is dry

4. Level #2 Disinfection • Only disinfect instruments that have come into contact with blood • Prepare a small basin with an alcohol disinfectant unit ensuring that the disinfectant reaches every surface of the instruments • Use sterile transfer forceps to remove each instrument and place them on a clean paper towel, patting it to make sure it dries thoroughly • Wipe down the area with bleach and a paper towel and ensure that the area is dry

5. Level #3 Sterilization • Prepare sterile porous paper and place each instrument into the middle using forceps • Do not allow instruments to touch each other • Wrap instruments snug – close package with sterile tape Procedure 2-1 & 2-4 on pages 33 & 34 • Label package with the date, your name, and name of instruments inside • Instruments are placed in autoclave (121°C – 132°C) • Remove with sterile transfer forceps and oven mitts and store sterile instruments in the same ‘sterile’ location

6. Text Book… • (1)Copy ‘Wrapping Instruments’ pg. 33 procedure 2.1 • (2) Look over ‘Running a load through the autoclave’ pg. 36 procedure 2.2