Surgical and Medical Instrument Sterilisation Policy

Surgical and Medical Instrument Sterilisation Policy

Introduction
This policy outlines the procedures for the sterilisation of surgical and medical instruments at the DOCKSIDE MEDICAL HUB.

Scope
This policy applies to all staff involved in the sterilisation of surgical and medical instruments, including medical practitioners, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.

Definitions

  • Sterilisation: The process of destroying or eliminating all forms of microbial life, including fungi, bacteria and viruses.
  • Instruments: Any instrument used in a medical procedure which may come into contact with body tissue or bodily fluids. This includes scalpels, forceps, scissors, clamps and other tools used in surgery.
  • Medical Instruments: Any instrument used for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes which may come into contact with body tissue or bodily fluids. This includes thermometers, stethoscopes, endoscopes and other tools used in medical examinations and treatments.
  • AGPAL Standards: The standards set by the Australian General Practice Accreditation Limited (AGPAL) for the sterilisation of surgical and medical instruments in Australian healthcare facilities.

Responsibilities

  • All staff involved in the sterilisation process must be aware of this policy and follow it at all times
  • The designated Sterilisation Officer is responsible for ensuring that all staff adhere to this policy
  • The Sterilisation Officer is also responsible for maintaining records of all sterilised instruments
  • The Sterilisation Officer is responsible for ensuring that all staff are trained in proper sterilisation techniques
  • The Sterilisation Officer is responsible for regularly monitoring the quality of the sterilised instruments
  • All staff must follow appropriate safety protocols when handling sterile instruments
  • All staff must report any incidents involving contaminated or improperly sterilised instruments to the Sterilisation Officer immediately
  • All staff must ensure that sterile instruments are properly stored after they have been used
  • All staff must ensure that any broken or damaged instruments are reported to the Sterilisation Officer immediately
  • All personnel involved in the sterilisation process must be adequately trained in infection control procedures as well as proper handling techniques for surgical and medical instruments.

Procedures

  • All surgical and medical instruments must be cleaned thoroughly and dried before being placed into autoclave packaging and labelled with the date and serial number.
  • The instruments packs to be placed in the autoclave machine and run the autoclave cycle as per manufacturer specifications
  • After the autoclave has cooled down, instrument packages are to be removed and stored in dry boxes
  • Log of sterilisation cycle recorded in the Autoclave Log Book
  • Log of sterilised instrument package number, Clinician and Patient details with date and time of the procedure to be completed, when instruments are used
  • Any abnormal incident is to be reported and recorded in the ‘Incident and Near Mis Register’ and instruments are to be re-sterilised again as per protocol.