Enzymatic Expert | Peggy Spitzer

In recent Expert Series postings, we discussed important clues in chemical labels for the chemical IFU (How to Use instructions) and safe use. The SPD detective will find more clues in the chemical label for product management. The first clue is the Product Name. We may depend on color and container shape to verify the…

A previous post highlighted the importance of using label directions as the chemical IFU and why this is often an issue during surveys. Chemical labels also offer important clues for safe use. Chemical manufacturers are required to provide safety information on the product label which may be in several different locations. Look for three important…

It’s time to be a Sterile Processing Detective! Although chemical labels are not as fun to read as a good mystery novel, there are plenty of clues to follow for safe and correct use. Detergents have minimal regulation in the U.S. as an FDA Class 1 Medical Device so the manufacturer has more leeway on…

Part 1 of a previous Expert article discussed issues for Point of Use precleaning compliance such as multi-department cooperation, education, supplies and analysis of the instrument transit work flow. Transit time turns out to be a key puzzle piece. If transit time from point of use to final processing is always under one hour, wet…

The drumbeat for starting instrument processing at point of use continues. It takes a team with perioperative management, infection preventionists AND SPD leadership to keep pressing for compliance after the latest survey visit. Compliance involves two important steps: (1) precleaning with sterile water and sterile sponges DURING procedures; and (2) pretreatment with wet towels or…

The clock is ticking after every endoscopy procedure with only minutes to transfer the patient and turn over the treatment room. Why spend valuable time with endoscope precleaning? Soils begin to dry and biofilm forms within minutes after the end of an endoscopic procedure. Endoscope manufacturer instructions (IFUs) emphasize the importance of immediate post procedure…

How long is your chemical good for after opening the bottle? This question may be posed to a sterile processing technician during an audit or survey resulting in a panicked call to the chemical manufacturer. Surveyors continue to focus on high level disinfectants (HLD) such as gluteraldehydes and OPA products due to issues with misuse…

The singer Jim Croce said it best in a song from the seventies, “If I could save time in a bottle.” Is it possible to save time by selecting the right bottle of detergent for instrument washer fast cycles? A main wash fast cycle time of 2 to 3 minutes may be efficient but before…

“The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.” This quote from Michael Altshuler reminds us that time is precious, especially during a busy workday. Cleaning chemicals can save time and increase productivity by keeping a few basic issues in mind. Contact or dwell time is the time a chemical must…

One of my favorite baby shower gifts is the beloved rubber ducky featuring a built-in temperature indicator. Do we have a comparable issue to monitor temperatures for manual cleaning in sterile processing? Some hospitals receive an unpleasant surprise when a deficiency is cited for failure to meet chemical instructions for use. While some enzymatic products…