Course Code: REL-ACU-0-IPMPO
Hours: 1
Type: Online Course
Content Expiration Date: 12/31/2027
Learning Objectives:
Describe the stages of instrument decontamination and processing.
Discuss techniques and guidelines for proper instrument care and handling.
Identify best practices for quality control and sterility preservation.
Outline:
Section 1: Decontamination and Assembly
Instrument
Instrument Processing 101
First Stage of Decontamination
Decontamination Area
Assembly Area
Key Takeaways
Section 2: Methods of Sterilization and Disinfection
Sterilization
Low-Temperature Sterilization
Disinfection
Low-Level and Intermediate-Level Disinfectants
Key Takeaways
Section 3: Quality Control
Sterility Assurance
Sterile Storage
Preserving the Instrument Lifecycle
Key Takeaways
Section 4: Conclusion
Course Summary
Course Contributors
References
Subject Matter Expert: Brandy Verton, BSN, RN, CNOR
Brandy earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree with summa cum laude distinction from Capella University. She is a certified perioperative nurse with versatile skills in circulator and scrub roles for different surgical specialties. Brandy has fulfilled several nursing leadership responsibilities as the Surgical Services Clinical Educator and Periop 101 instructor for UNC REX Healthcare in North Carolina. She has been an active member of various hospital committees and contributed to numerous process improvement initiatives. In the early stages of her career, she developed her core nursing skills while working on a postoperative and medical-surgical overflow unit. She served in various roles, including charge nurse, preceptor, Magnet Champion, and admission/discharge facilitator. Brandy is dedicated to elevating perioperative teams through evidence-based education, innovative training, and collaboration, ensuring safe surgical care and continuous professional growth.
Instructor: Brian C Sheridan, CST
Brian is an accomplished certified surgical technologist with over 20 years of experience. He graduated cum laude on the Dean’s list for outstanding academic achievement with a certificate in Surgical Technology from Montgomery County Community College in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. He is well-versed in a variety of specialties including multi-surgeon complex cancer cases. As a preceptor, he enjoys sharing his knowledge with new surgical technologists and nurses, teaching them the fundamentals of the scrub role. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Pennsylvania State Assembly of the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST).
Target Audience:
The target audience for this course is: Nursing Personnel; Surgical Personnel; in the following settings: Hospitals: Acute.
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To earn continuing education credit for this course you must achieve a passing score of 80% on the post-test and complete the course evaluation.
Course Delivery Method and Format
Asynchronous Distance Learning with interactivity which includes quizzes with questions/answers, and posttests.