Steps of Decontamination

Steps of Decontamination Step 1
Immediately after use, decontaminate instruments and other items by placing them in a plastic container of 0.5% chlorine solution. Let them soak for 10 minutes. A container of this solution should be kept in every operating theater and procedure room so that used items can be placed directly into the bucket. Service providers should put instruments and other items in the chlorine solution as soon as they are finished using each item.

Step 2
Steps of Decontamination After 10 minutes, remove the items from the chlorine solution and either rinse with water or clean immediately. Do not leave items in the solution for more than 10 minutes, since excessive soaking in the solution can damage instruments and other items. Always wear utility gloves when removing instruments and other items from a chlorine solution.

Items that require special attention:

Special considerations must be taken when decontaminating reusable needles and syringes, gloves, linens, storage containers, laparoscopes, and instruments used during manual vacuum aspiration (MVA).

Reusable needles and syringes: Fill the assembled needles and syringes with the chlorine solution, flush several times, and soak for 10 minutes. Rinse by flushing several times with clean water. Always use pickups and wear utility gloves when removing needles and syringes from the solution. (For more information on the proper handling of these items, see the Needles and Other Sharps module of this course.)

Gloves: Before removing contaminated gloves, dip gloved hands into a 0.5% chlorine solution to rinse the outer surfaces and remove blood, other fluids, and tissue. Carefully remove gloves without touching the outer surface with bare hands. Do not snap the gloves. If the gloves are disposable or are not intact, dispose of them properly. If they are surgical gloves that will be processed for reuse, place them in a container of 0.5% chlorine solution and soak for 10 minutes before cleaning. Rinse or clean immediately. To avoid tearing or puncturing gloves during decontamination, place them in a different container than the one used to decontaminate instruments and other items, if possible.

Linens (caps, gowns, masks, and surgical drapes): The actual risk of transmission from soiled linen is small, except when sharp objects, such as needles and surgical instruments, are inadvertently left in or on linens. Decontamination of linens is impractical and is not recommended. Handle, transport, and process linens that are soiled with blood, other body fluids, secretions, and excretions in a way that prevents exposure to skin and mucous membranes, contamination of clothing, and transfer of microorganisms to clients or the environment.; When transporting linens to washing areas, place the linens in leak-proof containers or fold them so that the portions that are contaminated are on the inside, surrounded by dry linen. Always wear heavy utility gloves when handling, transporting, and processing used linens, and wash hands immediately after removing gloves. If linen will be processed outside of the facility, make sure that the person who transports them to the processing site wears utility gloves.

Storage containers: Fill containers with a 0.5% chlorine solution and soak for 10 minutes before cleaning. Rinse or clean immediately.

Laparoscopes: There is no effective way to decontaminate laparoscopes and cables. They cannot be soaked in chlorine solution, since chlorine can damage the laparoscope and cable. In addition, alcohol should not be used, as it can fog the lens or dissolve the cement holding the lens in place. When handling laparoscopes, always wear utility gloves.

Instruments used for MVA: In many facilities, cannulae are discarded after a single use. However, if you follow the processing instructions below--as well as the special instructions for further steps of processing, cannulae may be reused. Proper processing is essential if MVA cannulae are to be reused.; Leave the cannula attached to the syringe and flush the syringe with a 0.5% chlorine solution (draw up and expel the 0.5% chlorine solution into and out of the syringe) one or two times. This will help remove any blood and tissue remaining in the cannula. drop the assembled cannula and syringe into the 0.5% chlorine solution and soak for 10 minutes before cleaning. Rinse by flushing the assembled cannula and syringe three times with clean water, or clean immediately.

TIP:
It may be useful to set up a bucket of tap water next to the bucket of decontamination solution. This way, when the items are ready to be removed from the decontamination solution, they can be placed in the water until the appropriate staff member is ready to clean them.