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STERILE PROCESSING INSIGHTS I can hear you clearly by Stephen M. Kovach
noise exposure and protections for staff. In reviewing ST79, AAMI does not currently address this topic, but may in the future. So, let us look at what stan- dards would address any staff members’ concern(s) about noise exposure? As with anything con- cerning workers’ safety, each medical facility (and the department within that facility) should conduct a risk analysis of where all employees work. This is outlined in the Occupa- tional Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards. Under the regulation [29
Q A
CFR 1910.95(i)(1)], OSHA requires that employers shall make hearing protec- tors available to all employees exposed to an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) of 85 decibels or greater at no cost to the employees. Hearing protectors shall be replaced, as necessary.
I worked at a different medical facility, and they provided ear pro-
tection. What does ANSI/AAMI ST79 say about this? Because where I am now, they do not provide any ear protection.
Your question is centered on ANSI/ AAMI ST79 and what it states about
check with the various manufacturers of the equipment used in your department for a decibel rating and make that part of your request for proposal (RFP) when looking at buying equipment. My suggestion is to work with your risk management department and department management team to ask for noise levels to be measured in your department. This provides documentation and helps instate a policy and program to pro- tect workers hearing safety. It is worthwhile to note
Figure 1 Source: Screenshot, Apple iPhone iOS 14
A safe or acceptable noise level for con- stant exposure is 68 decibels (dB) or below. The decibel is a unit used to measure the intensity of a sound. Hearing damage can occur when exposed to a constant back- ground noise of 80 to 90 dB. You may have worn ear protection while working in the decontamination area. That makes sense, and I have seen ear protection increasingly used in depart- ments from simple orange earplugs to full headphone ear protection provided to all staff members. Think about this. You have noise being created constantly by: • Instrument washers • Cart washers • Ultrasonic cleaners • Case carts coming and going • Water running.
It makes sense to see what the decibel- level is (not only in the decontamination area but whole department). You can also
Brushing a medical device is depen- dent upon the brush selected and the device to be cleaned. • Brush with a loop on its proximal—only use the push-type method.
Q A
Brush type
Loop on proximal end
No loop
Apple iPhone iOS 14 users have a new Settings option called “Headphone Safety” (Fig. 1). The “Reduce Loud Sounds” option empowers users with an extra means of hearing protection (required in certain regions), by set- ting a desired decibel-level to your headphones/audio buds. Mine is set at 75 deci- bels (as loud as a vacuum cleaner). If the user exceeds the set level over a seven- day limit, they will receive notifi cation and the volume
automatically reduced.
Can you explain the difference between the push and the pull method for using a brush to clean medi- cal devices?
• Brush without a loop—use either a push
or a pull-type method.
The Push Method is the method most people use. This method is used when a brush has a loop on its end or the lumen is dead ended, thus you cannot use the pull method. While it is effective, it does have its drawbacks. Cleaning by pushing the fi ber end of the brush through fi rst creates a series of jerky and inconsistent movements within the shaft. This prob- lem does not occur with the pull through method. Using the push cleaning method also creates a natural bending of the shaft (Fig. 2), which wears on the brush. The Pull Method (traction) is my per- sonal preference (when possible) for brushing a channel that has two-open ends. Insert the non-brush end into the less contaminated side of the channel. Once the shaft tip appears on the other side of the channel, pull it through. This allows for proper and continuous clean- ing of the inner channel for medical and surgical instruments (Fig. 3). The physics of brushing with this method reduces the stress on the shaft allowing energy to focus more on the brush and not be lost in the bending of a shaft, which can happen with the push method.
Remember, when possible, with either method, try to twist or turn the shaft as you go into the lumen. This additional friction is important when cleaning any medical device. HPN
Visit
https://hpnonline.com/21256368 for references. Method type Advantages/Drawbacks
Push only • Effective cleaning method • Jerky/Inconsistent movements within shaft • Natural bending of shaft (wears on brush).
Push or Pull • Preferred (Pull) brush method • Reduces stress on wand • Allows energy to focus on brush (not lost bending shaft).
Figure 2
Figure 3
hpnonline.com • HEALTHCARE PURCHASING NEWS • March 2022 51
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