Core Functions Flashcards

What role does the SPD technician play in the event of a sterilizer recall or malfunction?

Answer: Quarantine all items from affected loads and initiate a recall process

When a sterilizer malfunctions, all items from affected loads must be quarantined immediately and a systematic recall initiated to retrieve any distributed items.

How should loaner instruments from external vendors be handled upon arrival at the facility?

Answer: Process through the complete decontamination and sterilization cycle

Loaner instruments must go through complete reprocessing regardless of their apparent cleanliness, as their prior handling and sterilization status is unknown.

What is the primary purpose of a count sheet in sterile processing?

Answer: To document the contents of instrument trays for completeness verification

Count sheets list every instrument that should be in a tray, allowing technicians to verify completeness during assembly and ensuring nothing is missing before sterilization.

Which factor most directly affects the efficiency of the SPD workflow?

Answer: Proper scheduling and coordination with surgical services

Coordination with surgical services ensures instruments are processed in priority order and available when needed, directly impacting OR efficiency and patient care timelines.

What is the correct sequence of steps in the sterile processing workflow?

Answer: Receiving, Decontamination, Inspection/Assembly, Packaging, Sterilization, Storage

The correct workflow follows a logical progression from receiving contaminated items through decontamination, inspection, assembly, packaging, sterilization, and finally sterile storage.

Why is it important for SPD technicians to understand basic surgical procedures?

Answer: To properly identify, assemble, and prioritize instruments for specific procedures

Understanding surgical procedures helps technicians correctly assemble instrument sets, identify specialty instruments, and prioritize processing for urgent cases.