Sterile processing and infection prevention are two critical components of the healthcare industry that are inextricably linked. In order to become adept in sterile processing, one must receive certification from CBSPD (Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution).
Sterilization process involves the elimination of all microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, from medical equipment, devices, and surfaces. This is necessary to ensure that these tools are safe to use and do not pose a risk of infection to patients or healthcare providers.
For this article, let’s dive deeper into the relationship between sterile processing and infection prevention and how they both maintain a safer healthcare environment.
Sterile Processing and Infection Control: The Basics
The goal of sterile processing is simple: keeping devices and equipment are free from any infectious microorganism.
Sterile processing process involves a range of methods. Notable examples are cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization, to eliminate any pathogens that may be present in medical equipment.
In comparison, infection control is the practice of preventing and managing the spread of infectious diseases in healthcare settings. Some ways of infection control are hand hygiene, personal protective equipment, and environmental cleaning and disinfection.
The Connection between Sterile Processing and Infection Control
Sterile processing and infection control are closely related, as the former is essential in preventing the spread of infection.
Therefore, sterile processing is a form of infection control measure, and professional sterile processing techs must be aware of the best practices to reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
The Role of Sterile Processing Technicians
Sterile processing technicians are the frontline workers that earned their profession from an SPT certification, which is a short course that can be taken online.
They are responsible for cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing equipment and monitoring the sterilization process to ensure that it is effective.
Sterile processing technicians also play a critical role in infection control, maintaining a clean and safe healthcare environment. They must follow strict protocols and guidelines to ensure that equipment is properly sterilized and that infection control measures are implemented effectively.
Conclusion
In conclusion, sterile processing and infection prevention are two critical components of the healthcare industry that are closely connected. Proper sterilization techniques can help to prevent the spread of infection, while infection control measures help to maintain a clean and safe healthcare environment.
If you want more information about the importance of sterile processing, here is an infographic from Martinson College: