SELF-STUDY SERIES Sponsored by
November 2009
The self-study lesson on this central service topic
was developed by STERIS. The lessons are ad-
Labels – They’re not just
ministered by KSR Publishing, Inc.
Earn CEUs
window dressing
The series can assist readers in maintaining their
CS certification. After careful study of the lesson, by Myrna Kauffman, RN, CNOR
complete the examination at the end of this sec-
tion. Mail the complete examination and scoring
fee to Healthcare Purchasing News for grading.
We will notify you if you have a passing score of
70 percent or higher, and you will receive a cer-
E
very day, personnel in healthcare fa- latory agencies has different responsibili-
cilities work with cleaning chemis- ties, although FDA and EPA work closely
tries to clean environmental surfaces, to regulate liquid chemical germicides.
tificate of completion within 30 days. Previous medical and surgical instruments, and pa- OSHA is interested in the regulation and
lessons are available on the Internet at tient use devices and equipment. The clean- proper use of germicidal cleaners to pro-
www.hpnonline.com. ing chemistries used in these facilities are tect healthcare employees. Their goal is to
different from the cleaning chemistries that minimize the risk of work-related exposure
Cer
SELF-STUDY SERIES
tification
we use in our homes, for good reason. They to potentially hazardous chemicals and to
The CBSPD (Certification Board for Sterile Process-
must be proven disinfectants with the ca- protect patients and visitors from exposure
ing and Distribution) has pre-approved this in-ser-
pability to eliminate the types and levels of to pathogenic microorganisms.
vice for one-half (0.5) contact hour for a period
potential contamination found in healthcare FDA is involved with germicides to as-
of five (5) years from the date of original publica-
centers. Often, this means that they are more sure proper and effective cleaning, disin-
tion. Successful completion of the lesson and post
concentrated and caustic than household fection and sterilization of reusable medi-
test must be documented by facility management
cleaners, and require regulation and care- cal devices. FDA considers liquid chemical
and those records maintained by the individual
ful handling. For this reason, and because germicides used for this purpose to be
until re-certification is required. DO NOT SEND
human health depends on it, central ser- medical devices that are subject to the
LESSON OR TEST TO CBSPD.
vice/processing and environmental ser- same review, testing and diligence as any
vices staffs must have a thorough knowl- other medical device.
For additional information regarding certification
edge of proper cleaning and disinfection EPA is interested in the proper regis-
contact CBSPD - 148 Main Street, Suite B-1, Leba-
processes and of the products used in those tration, labeling and manufacturing of
non, NJ 08833 (www.sterileprocessing.org). For
processes. germicides to ensure that the product’s
more information direct any questions to Healthcare
disinfection and/or sterilization claims
Purchasing News (941) 927-9345, ext 202.
Disinfectant classifications are clear and validated through testing.
Environmental cleaners are germicidal A hospital-grade disinfectant is consid-
Learning Objectives
products used to clean all surfaces (inside ered to be the strongest disinfectant used
or outside of healthcare facilities) other in healthcare facilities on environmental
1. Discuss the regulatory bodies
than surgical instruments. These are gen- surfaces. All hospital-grade disinfectants
involved with disinfection in
erally divided into two groups; limited ef- must be registered with EPA, which re-
ficacy disinfectants and general disinfec-
healthcare environments
views all the test data, labeling and prod-
tants. The limited efficacy disinfectant uct formulation to make sure that the
category applies to the germicides that kill chemistry or formulation meets the mini-
2. Explain the various classes,
either gram-positive or gram-negative mum requirements and any additional
types and applications of
bacteria. This disinfectant category in- claims the manufacturer has made. The
disinfectant chemicals used in these
cludes products generally found on su- hospital-grade disinfectants that have met
environments
permarket shelves that would not be used the minimum requirement, which is the
in a healthcare facility. The general disin- ability to kill Staphylococcus aureus, Salmo-
3. Explain the important elements
fectant category applies to a product that nella choleraisius, and Pseudomonas
and information found on chemistry
kills both gram-positive and gram-nega- aeruginosa, provide low-level disinfection.
labeling
tive bacteria. The hospital-grade disinfectants that have
an additional tuberculocidal activity claim
Sponsored by:
Regulating healthcare provide intermediate-level disinfection.
chemistries Instrument cleaning products, another
The primary regulatory agencies that in- type of chemistry found in all hospitals,
fluence the use of germicidal chemistries are usually detergents or enzymatic for-
in healthcare facilities are the Occupa- mulations. They are designed to remove
tional Safety and Health Administration bioburden and soils of various types from
(OSHA), the Food and Drug Administra- the surfaces of surgical instruments and
tion (FDA) and the Environmental Pro- devices. These types of chemistries typi-
tection Agency (EPA). Each of these regu- cally do not have germicidal claims.
30 November 2009 • HEALTHCARE PURCHASING NEWS www.hpnonline.com
0911-CE.pmd 30 10/15/2009, 8:51 AM
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