CH 07: Decontamination: Point-of-Use Preparation and Transport

Goals of Point-of-Use Prep & Transport

• Removal of gross soil.
• Prevention of damage.
• Prevention of cross contamination.
• Keeping others safe.

Point-of-Use Preparation

• Instrument preparation begins at the point of use.

Point-of-Use Preparation Guidelines

• Remove gross soil.
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions for point-of-use cleaning and preparation.
• Separate reusable sharps from other instruments.
• Separate reusable linen.
• Remove disposable components.
• Open hinged instruments, disassemble multi-part instruments and place them in trays. Heavy: bottom, Light: top, Cords, Scopes, Cameras: Very top.
• Keep items together. (Sets, multi-part items)

Continued..

• Keep instruments moist and prevent soil from drying on their surface. Use foams, gels, sprays, or a moist towel. Limit the time kept in a soak basin or solution to prevent instrument damage.
• Empty fluids from contaminated device containers using facility protocols.
• Remove, contain, or separate third-party reprocessing items and send to CS, per facility protocols.
• For reusable instruments used in a case with CJD notify CS and Infection Prevention Control. Follow hospital procedures.
• Notify CS: Items needing repair. Tag them to remove them from the system.
• Notify CS: Items requiring turnover/turnaround.

Transport of Soiled Items

• Transport soiled instruments in enclosed carts. (Preferred)
• Open Carts: Must have a solid bottom/ cover cart during transport.
• Don't place metal trays/containers on top of plastic trays/containers.
• Don't use containers/carts transporting contaminated items to transport clean and sterile items. (Unless the cart is decontaminated between uses)

Education and Training

• AAMI recomends practices for transporting contaminated items.
• Procedures should also reflect OSHA regulations.
• AORN provides additional information.​​​​​​​