CBSPD Point-of-Use Treatment and Transportation of Surgical Instruments 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of point-of-use treatment of surgical instruments?
- To sterilize instruments at the bedside
- To prevent soil from drying on instruments before formal decontamination (Correct answer)
- To replace the cleaning step in the decontamination area
- To disinfect instruments for immediate reuse
Correct answer: To prevent soil from drying on instruments before formal decontamination
Point-of-use treatment prevents blood, tissue, and other organic material from drying onto instruments, which would make cleaning far more difficult.
Question 2: Which of the following is an acceptable point-of-use treatment method for soiled surgical instruments?
- Spraying instruments with a broad-spectrum disinfectant
- Keeping instruments moist with saline or a foam enzymatic pre-cleaner (Correct answer)
- Rinsing instruments with sterile water under the back table
- Wrapping in dry towels until transport
Correct answer: Keeping instruments moist with saline or a foam enzymatic pre-cleaner
Maintaining instrument moisture with saline or enzymatic foam at the point of use prevents soil from drying and begins the breakdown of organic material.
Question 3: How should soiled instruments be transported from the OR to the decontamination area?
- Openly on a clean utility cart
- In a closed, leak-proof, puncture-resistant container or cart (Correct answer)
- In a standard linen bag
- By hand, wrapped in a surgical drape
Correct answer: In a closed, leak-proof, puncture-resistant container or cart
OSHA and infection control standards require soiled instruments to be transported in closed, leak-proof, puncture-resistant containers to protect staff and the environment from contamination.
Question 4: Which labeling is required on containers used to transport soiled instruments?
- No labeling needed if the container is red
- Biohazard symbol and/or the word 'biohazard' must be present (Correct answer)
- Only the originating department name
- A list of all instruments inside
Correct answer: Biohazard symbol and/or the word 'biohazard' must be present
OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) requires that containers holding potentially infectious materials be labeled with the biohazard symbol.
Question 5: Why should sharp instruments be separated from other instruments during transport?
- Sharps damage delicate instruments
- To prevent needlestick injuries and punctures through container walls (Correct answer)
- Sharps require a different cleaning chemical
- Regulatory agencies do not allow mixing sharp and non-sharp items
Correct answer: To prevent needlestick injuries and punctures through container walls
Separating sharps reduces the risk of puncture injuries to SPD technicians and others who handle transport containers.
Question 6: What should be done with lumened instruments (e.g., trocars, suction tips) at the point of use?
- Sealed immediately to prevent air exposure
- Flushed with water or saline to remove gross soil from the lumen (Correct answer)
- Plugged with gauze to keep them moist
- Disassembled and placed in separate containers
Correct answer: Flushed with water or saline to remove gross soil from the lumen
Flushing lumens at the point of use removes gross soil and prevents it from drying inside channels, which would impede cleaning in the decontamination area.
CBSPD Point-of-Use Treatment and Transportation of Surgical Instruments 1
What is the primary purpose of point-of-use treatment of surgical instruments?