If you are interested in becoming an STP technician, you need to take time to read a sterile processing technician review in order to understand what this career path entails. Sterile processing refers to the decontamination and sterilization of medical devices. The sterile processing department (SPD) in a hospital, which is also referred to as the Central Sterile Services Department (CSSD), is the area where the sterile processing of devices used in medical procedures occurs.
The processes that an instrument goes through in the sterile processing department depends on its use as well as material construction, along with other factors like size. An instrument is typically taken from an operating room to the decontamination area to be manually cleaned. After that, it is placed in an ultrasonic cleaner or sonic irrigator before it is placed into a washer/disinfector.
After that, the instrument is transported to a prep and pack area where it is prepared for sterilization. The instrument is sterilized through one of many types of sterilization processes. After it is sterilized, the device is either sent back to a procedure room and used again, or it can be sent to sterile storage until it is needed for a procedure.
Sterile processing technicians are supposed to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as a safety precaution in order to avoid exposure to potentially infectious bacteria.
When reading the SPT review, make sure that you understand the decontamination process properly. This is an essential stage in device reprocessing since an instrument or device cannot be sterilized until it is clean. During the decontamination process, dirty instruments are sorted, inspected, and, sometimes disassembled. First, tools are manually or mechanically cleaned. Depending on the instrument, they can be taken through an automated washing process after manual cleaning.
For more information on what sterile processing technicians do, visit our website at http://www.martinsoncollege.com/
