HSPA Sterile Storage, Inventory Management, and Distribution Systems 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the minimum height for storing sterile items above the floor?
- 2 inches
- 8-10 inches (Correct answer)
- 18 inches
- 24 inches
Correct answer: 8-10 inches
8-10 inches above floor protects from floor-level contamination, chemicals, and moisture.
Additional clearances: 18 inches below ceiling, 2 inches from walls and sprinkler heads. Bottom shelves should be solid for additional protection.
Question 2: What is the FIFO principle in sterile storage?
- First In, First Out — oldest items distributed first (Correct answer)
- First In, Final Out
- Find It, File Out
- Frequent Inventory, Fixed Order
Correct answer: First In, First Out — oldest items distributed first
FIFO ensures oldest sterilized items are used first for proper stock rotation.
New stock placed behind existing stock. FIFO prevents excessive storage time, packaging degradation, and forgotten items. Electronic systems can track storage duration.
Question 3: What is a par level system in SPD inventory?
- Minimum golf score for managers
- Predetermined minimum and maximum quantities with reorder triggers (Correct answer)
- System for rating instrument quality
- Maximum items per sterilization run
Correct answer: Predetermined minimum and maximum quantities with reorder triggers
Par levels establish min/max stock quantities to ensure availability without overstocking.
Par levels are calculated from daily usage, reprocessing lead time, schedule variations, and safety stock. Regular review ensures quantities match actual usage.
Question 4: What should be checked before distributing a sterile package?
- Only expiration date
- Package integrity, chemical indicator result, label completeness, and storage conditions (Correct answer)
- Only package size
- Nothing if properly sterilized
Correct answer: Package integrity, chemical indicator result, label completeness, and storage conditions
Multiple quality checks protect against distributing compromised items.
Check for tears, moisture, seal integrity, indicator color change, and complete labeling. Any package failing these checks must be returned for reprocessing.
Question 5: How should sterile items be transported from SPD?
- In any container
- On clean, enclosed or covered transport carts protecting from contamination and damage (Correct answer)
- By hand without protection
- In soiled item carts
Correct answer: On clean, enclosed or covered transport carts protecting from contamination and damage
Sterile items must be on clean, dedicated carts with covers to protect from contamination.
Never share with soiled transport. Cover items, load carefully, avoid contaminated routes, and complete transport efficiently.
Question 6: What role does a materials management information system play?
- Only tracks employee schedules
- Automated tracking of inventory, usage patterns, cost analysis, reorder management, and integration with surgical scheduling (Correct answer)
- Controls sterilizers
- Only for billing
Correct answer: Automated tracking of inventory, usage patterns, cost analysis, reorder management, and integration with surgical scheduling
MMIS integrates inventory tracking, usage monitoring, cost analysis, and surgical scheduling coordination.
These systems replace manual counting, improve accuracy, reduce stockouts, and provide data-driven insights through reporting dashboards.
HSPA Sterile Storage, Inventory Management, and Distribution Systems 2
What is the minimum height for storing sterile items above the floor?