Easi-Sterilise Standard Operating Procedures & Workplace Skills Assessments

1. Easi-SteriliseStandard Operating Procedures&Workplace Skills Assessments “Getting it right, every step of the way”

2. Section 4 Stock management

3. 4.1 Dedicated Area For Sterile Goods • Only those sites that can ensure environmental control (temperature and humidity) and meet sterile stock storage requirements of AS/NZS 4815 can move to event related sterility. If these storage requirements can not be met the unused items must be reprocessed after 3 months

4. 4.1 Dedicated Area For Sterile Goods Environmental considerations for Event Related Sterility • Temperatures in this area are in the range 18◦C - 22◦C with a relative humidity ranging from 35% - 68% • Secure from public access • Limited staff thoroughfare/working in this area • Sterile goods shall always be segregated from non-sterile goods • Protected from direct sunlight

5. 4.1 Dedicated Area For Sterile Goods Environmental considerations for Event Related Sterility • For open shelving store items 250mm above floor level & at least 400mm from ceiling fixtures • Surfaces such as walls, floors, ceilings and shelving shall be non-porous, smooth and easily cleaned • Air-conditioning & ventilation conditions should be in accordance with AS1668.2 • New overhead lighting is fitted flush to the ceiling to minimise dust entrapment

6. 4.1 Dedicated Area For Sterile Goods • Sterile stock produced by the health care facility or commercially supplied is stored in an environment that maintains the integrity of the sterile stock • Sterile items from commercially or external suppliers are to be removed from the store pack prior to being brought into the clean area  • Cleaned in accordance with the facilities cleaning guidelines. • Do not use cardboard boxes • Inventory control

7. 4.1 Dedicated Area For Sterile Goods • The environment shall be • Dedicated storage areas • Store in a clean, dry, dust free environment • Insects and vermin free • Protected from direct sunlight • 250mm above floor level & at least 400mm from ceiling fixtures

8. 4.2 Stock Rotation • The purpose of stock rotation is to use sterile stock according to the date of manufacture/sterilisation • Rotate stock so the “oldest manufactured date” stored items will be used first • Take from e.g left & replace to the right or front to back • Handle only when necessary • Do not overstock – damage & compromise

9. Time-Related Sterility • Based upon an arbitrary date allocated to sterilised packs/pouches etc by which they should undergo re-processing and sterilisation if they have not been used • If storage & handling conditions are not ideal, or if the packages are frequently handled, items may need to be reprocessed more frequently

10. Event-Related Sterility • This process is a method of determining if an item is still sterile by assessing whether it has undergone any events, which may have compromised its sterility, such as • Incorrect cleaning in storage areas • Moisture and condensation • Exposure to harsh as well as external climatic conditions • Dust, Vermin and insects • torn/soiled wrapping or poor storage

11. Maintain sterile stock Do Not • Handle without washing and drying hands • Store in a manner that could damage the wrapping • Bundle using rubber bands or similar • Place on or near potentially wet surfaces • Exposed to aerosolising procedures – only take to chairside what is required for the session.

12. Dental Instruments Sterile at point-of-use must be stored to maintain sterile conditions must be tracked when used Extraction instruments

13. 4.3 Delivery of Sterile Stock To facilitate safe and secure transportation of sterile stock to user areas. • Always check items for pack integrity including labelling • Dedicated trolleys covered and closed with a solid bottom shelf • When transporting sterile stock from area to area trolleys must be enclosed or be covered with a clean dust cover. • Dedicated transport containers shall have lids that can be secured and be able to withstand cleaning • If a trolley or container transports both sterile and clean items, the clean items are to be segregated from the sterile items