Decontaminating Surgical Instruments 

Good luck Jon, I too entered this field from an entirely different background 6 years ago, so I know how you feel. I've since worked in various decontamination departments. I am now one of the Team Leaders in a Decontamination unit based in the UK. It's a very rewarding job.

@@timl1481 thanks Tim! I’m really looking forward to it! Start the 21st. I have a child with a trach which sparked my interest in the field - and now I just want to hit the ground running

Hows it going?

Joe Rohner yes we do that too. Not every set comes with liners, some have those silicone mats like you see on this video which I prefer because it’s annoying to remove all of them at once especially if those surgical techs don’t remove any of them when they have the time to do it.

Thank you for watching! I’ll try to make videos for you guys, unfortunately I’ve been pretty busy lately that I haven’t gotten a chance to make more. Yes there is a ultrasonic machine that we put instruments in that are hard to see bioburden like for example the cannulas in the laparoscopic set. Running it in the ultrasonic will eliminate it by using the correct cycle along with the preset temperatures, after that is goes into the normal washer for cleaning and decontamination

We look at the instruments IFU’s when we borrow a set from a different campus or if we received a new set for us to use. We have a computer in the decontamination room to check the IFU’s. We generally use the same enzymatic solution for all instruments unless stated otherwise by the IFU. Some instruments for example require hand wash only, like majority of our cable cords. Others require a more concentrated detergent, like decontaminating face shields because of COVID-19. We do this because we are running low on supplies.

Did that person seriously just bring their phone there that is disgusting 🤮

Filling the sink with enzymatic solution is a requirement in order to decontaminate the instruments to break down the bioburden it may have. You are correct though, there is a smell from it however it’s hardly noticeable because since you are required to wear a mask in decontam at all times you hardly breathe that in. And I notice that it was pretty empty the moment I pressed the button thought no one realize it 😆

I was holding it with my other hand. You’re right about my phone being contaminated once I drop it. The videos after this one was recorded with smart glasses that have cameras on them. I realized I couldn’t keep recording videos like this due to risk of exposure so I got the glasses to replace that. Works well in decon since I wear a face shield anyways, glasses being cross contaminated is slim.

Congratulations on the offer! We pretty much decontaminate the sets with the same method UNLESS otherwise stated by the IFU. And yes scopes are processed differently, usually by the sterile processing tech or in some cases by endoscopy which is seperated from SPD. Hope this info helps

Rigid scopes are generally autoclavable and therefore can be sterilised, however flexible endoscopes would be damaged by conventional sterilisation.tempritures and are generally deep cleaned. The exception to this is where a low temp sterilisation process, like hydrogen peroxide gas plasma, can be used. Hope this is of help.

Well based off what I heard. They do make really good money. Not too sure how much they make but I know the pay is good cause I have asked one of those people when I had the opportunity and they said they pay really well. I would certainly think it’s a good career move. I hope this helps

reversecowgirl69 yes you can. I always blast music in decon lol

That’s awesome thats sounds exciting! And with COVID going on. I’d say I still feel protected because in the department we take special precautions now. And everyone wears masks at all times. And before we enter the building we always get screened at the door. I hope you do well on the interview and get the job, good luck!

@@2thang2 Thank you so much for the reply! Fingers crossed it goes well!!!

My shift is 8 hours, however due to COVID-19 there is a lot of over time in the department.

Otherwise it would have been deleted.

How are you eliza

Thank you, I’m glad you like my videos! And to answer your question, no I am not concerned at all because when we’re in decon we are supposed to double glove at all times for double the protection. Till this day I have not gotten a cut at all

How are you ele

If you’re assigned to a certain area that is usually the area you work throughout your whole shift, unless of course you switch assignments with someone else

Personally I’d say it’s a great way to get inside the medical field with this job. It’s worth the time your investing in. It’s a good paying job too. Pacing is good too, although that depends on the location and the hospital itself

@@2thang2 well I've worked in the medical field before as a Medic/EMT. I'm really burnt out on direct patient care but still like the environment.

@@StrainXv oh wow that’s pretty cool. With this job you don’t have to deal with any patients at all. Just decontaminating and sterilizing surgical instruments. This would be perfect for you then!

@@2thang2 Just 3 questions I have about this career: 1. Is being a sterile processing technician a repetitive career for a full time life career? Because I like repititiveness and I like doing the same tasks again and again and not change. 2. Will this career be automated by robots and ai? 3. How is the salary, does it help you make a good living on my own instead of being married?

@@alfonsoromano7389 yes I currently work full time and do the same work every day. Can be overwhelming at times but overall I love being a sterile processing tech. I dont think AI and robots would ever be capable of this job so you should be good on this. And the salary on this job varies on location so can’t really speak on that. As far as living on your own, yes you can make it, although if you had your significant other to help you out it would definitely be much better. I was able to purchase my dream car and purchase my house as well. Very great benefits with this career. I hope this information helps.

Usually in scenarios like this they will look if they have that specific instrument in a peel pack. If for whatever reason they still can’t find it then they will open another set of the SAME set and use THAT instrument. Hope this helps

Me Pierre yes I do. It’s a pretty chill job. I’d definitely recommend getting into this field.

It’s the best .

quizlet.com/45587512/sterile-processing-study-material-for-certification-exam-flash-cards/ Try using this link, I used this website when I was in school and it helped me a lot hope this helps

No problem, hope you enjoyed my videos 😊

I guess it can get loud from time to time especially the sterilizers. But eventually you’ll get used to it

What is a sterilizing machine

And what does sterile equipment mean?

@@Collin212 it’s a machine that uses steam under pressure to kill harmful bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores on instruments that are placed inside a pressure vessel.

@@Collin212 sterile equipment means medical/surgical supplies, instruments and equipment, both sterile and, are cleaned, prepared, processed, stored, and issued for patient care

No

Nick I’d say pay real close attention to the staff on how they train you. You’ll probably start off in decon. Which is pretty easy once you get the hang of it. If you have any questions let them know. They like it when you ask questions.

@@2thang2 I just got out of school like not even more than 3 months ago. I don't want to be annoying which is my main concern with asking questions.

Nick you won’t be. At my facility we just hired a new traveler. I trained him in practically everything and I told him to ask me any questions he has. And he does ask me frequently and honestly I don’t mind. It just shows me that he wants to learn and showing me he’s putting in effort. You got this!

@@2thang2 Thanks for the advice

Nick do you like it I’m thinking of taking the class

Tracie Booth Yes, it usually depends if there’s a lot of gross soil and/or heavy bio burden. If they aren’t any visible then usually spraying the instruments will do the trick.

It was a Saturday when I was working in this video. Saturdays in this hospital would be perfect to train new techs and that’s a good question, Ive personally never encountered a situation where I needed help but I guess if I needed help I would call the manager who would be on call that weekend and depending on the situation they can come over and help or they could just help me through the phone.

That sounds so much simpler! Wish my facility did that lol

Yes on weekends but that’s because there aren’t that many cases on the weekends

We put them through the washers as well

I put the instruments on the decon stringer for proper cleaning through the washer

@@2thang2 👍...........🇵🇰

Quietstorm7 that’s good! Hope my videos help out

@@2thang2 yes it did!!!

Review Lounge I live in San Francisco and the hourly salery here where I work is $45 an hour. And if you’re scheduled to work holiday like Christmas for example, that would be double time pay. Hope this helps

2thang2 certificate or license?

$45 as a traveler or perm staff?

@@raxanenglish7439 $45 an hour as permanent staff. As a traveler it’s different, but I do know for a fact that travelers get paid more than regular staff.

@@mepierre661 certified

That’s true. I recorded this on my phone, however I did have a waterproof case that even the lenses are covered as well as the charging port. If I didnt have anything protecting it I would be putting myself at risk. Thanks for pointing that out

Carlos Duenas my training was 1 month. I think it varies from place to place. My friend is also taking the sterile processing program but he is doing it online. Unfortunately due to the pandemic there will be no hands on training in school only by video which is definitely not the same. Although I think some schools are doing social distancing. It depends on where you live

Congratulations dude! Are you planning on certifying with IAHCSMM or CBSPD? My advice would be to not get too nervous when they’re training you. It might be overwhelming at first especially with the testing with the machines but then after it will click to you. You’re gonna do great man

@@2thang2 im getting certified with iahcsmm & i have about 2 months of experience already from my internship so i got the hang of it all . Also you remember what your exam consisted of im more concerned of that?

@@eddyhernandez9503 that’s good. I’m also certified with IAHCSMM and they’re great. At first the exam will ask you common sense questions like “what do you do when you drop an instrument on the clean side?” You send it back to decon. Then towards the end it will get a little more specific, like what the temperature should be in the prep/pack area and in the decontamination room. It will also ask you about the spaulding classification system. Which you need to know what instruments/devices are critical, semi-critical and non critical. That’s the part that really messed me up man. Honestly if you study really hard the exam will be pretty easy. Just don’t get too nervous and second guess yourself. You’ll pass it the first time!

@@2thang2 thanks man!

Tracy Kay I don’t think you can get certified without going to school first. You would need to complete the sterile processing program and then take the state exam and once you pass that you are officially certified. It depends where you live but to take the exam it would cost you about $125. Hope this helps

2thang2 thank you for answering my question I keep on getting mixed conflicting answers through the Internet. And no one’s telling me The truth people say that you can take the test without going to school. In some of these videos tell you you don’t have to go to school. Just take the test...

Tracy Kay I think in some places technically you could but I know hospitals are asking for externship hours. Basically hands on training you did at a hospital. You only get into externship with the school. You would need to submit your hours with the hospital your trying to apply for. If you have no experience whatsoever, they’ll probably won’t consider you as a candidate for the job even if your certified UNLESS you know someone who already works in SPD. Hope this information helps

@@2thang2 Can I get hired even though I haven’t take the exam but i finished the program?

@@rol3219 unfortunately no. Hospitals are now asking to see your certification. They wanna see if you’re certified either through CBSPD or IAHCSMM. I know back in the day it was possible

right they got nice stuff, sterris is the best

I’m using my iPhone to record this and don’t worry my phone was protected while I was in decon lol

Yes you do. You need to be certified

eddie lujano we will be hiring soon actually. Sometime around March

2thang2 whats the site I would go under?

eddie lujano go to this site, jobs.sutterhealth.org and search sterile processing

Lol that’s what people kept telling me. On my recent videos I’ve used glasses that have a camera on them so I can record hands free

@@2thang2 Thank you for the tour though. I myself work in Sterile Services at my local Hospital in UK. I have to say the pay does not reflect what has to be learnt and completed but it's a good job.

I forgot to close the drain in the beginning

What exactly did I do wrong??

@@2thang2 EVERYTHING

Is there something I did wrong?