It’s OK to flash instruments under certain circumstances, says The Joint Commission, which today updated its position on using steam to sterilize. You can flash as long as it’s part of a "complete and effective process of sterilization." This means, for example that you must adequately clean instruments before sterilizing them and cover instruments before you transport them back to the OR after they’ve been sterilized. Surveyors will shift their focus from what method or cycle of sterilization you use to your entire sterilization process.
"Based on discussions with experts in the field, professional organizations, and government organizations, The Joint Commission has decided to refocus its survey efforts on all of the critical processes included in sterilization," reads the statement. "If a complete and effective process of sterilization is used, it will be considered an effective sterilization method. Surveyors will review the critical steps of disinfection and sterilization to determine if the process is appropriate."
However, the position statement says surveyors will be on the lookout for overuse — for example, a high percentage of steam sterilization using less than a full sterilization cycle or exclusively steam sterilizing certain types of instruments.
The position statement also defines steam sterilization as sterilizing unwrapped instruments using steam for 3 minutes, at 270°F at 27 to 28 lbs of pressure.
—Dan O’Connor
