Sterilizing Surgical Instruments

Sterilizing surgical instruments and wrapped loaners. Running a bowie dick test is a daily test that must be done daily in order to ensure that the sterilizers are running efficiently and providing safe care for the patients by making sure every instruments are sterile.

[@jennystancliff8096]

The bi biological indicator is a test with live bacteria. The reason for it, is to ensure that the load has been exsposed to the sterilization process and does NOT guarantee all items are void of all microorganisms

[@JS-ky5df]

Thanks for taking the time to do this video. Helped me understand the sterilisation process as I study for my CIC exam!

[@2thang2]

You got this, you will do great. Good luck!

[@MyTwoCents2]

I too use this video for teaching purposes.. a student called out the flaw..and so I demonstrated proper communication.. and so did u in turn.. Kudos.. teamwork makes the dream work as we say

[@djtime45]

This was great very digestible in all ways I appreciate the time you took out to make this video kid great work

[@2thang2]

Thank you. There will be more videos to come

[@MrMrmusashi]

Thanks a lot, I'm about to be released in the wild after 3mos. Of training and as a new hire certified technician. 👏

[@2thang2]

That’s good congratulations! I hope you like this job as a career!

[@bsamuelson701]

yes Thank you so much for these video's I might be getting a job doing this line of work. And watching your videos' have helped ease my fears and answer a lot of questions.

[@2thang2]

I’m glad my videos helped you out and good luck with the job I hope you get it!

[@ryanrheyregino8787]

thank you sir for sharing the videos. its a big help to me as a aspiring sterile technician 😊

[@2thang2]

You’re welcome! Glad my videos are helpful to you

[@sashagator5556]

Great video! I shared this and another video of yours to the sterile processing class I am in. I think they will find this very helpful. Thank you!

[@2thang2]

Wow thank you so much. Glad my videos are helpful 😊

[@jacquelinedelgado6897]

Thank you ...I truly appreciate the knowledge

[@amazedjean1]

great video keep them coming!!!!!!

[@2thang2]

I will. Thank you!

[@selvishenderson2979]

Very informative detailed video..thanks

[@donnaramirez1467]

Can you make a video of what questions are most likely on the test

[@RA-fw6pu]

Thank you so much you don't know how much you helped me 💖 just one request can you do a video of the difference between packaging for OR and unit ? Cause I've heard the wraps are more for the OR

[@2thang2]

No problem, im glad my videos helped you out! I will try to upload more videos, I’ve just been pretty busy lately

[@reaper741]

can you show your wrapping process?

[@tassss1695]

Thank you

[@HeavenlySent73]

Video is very interesting and educational, however there were a lot of incorrect practices performed during the making of this video.

[@2thang2]

Glad you found the video interesting and educational. It's important to note that sometimes videos may not always depict the most accurate practices. What were the things that were done incorrectly?

[@quofispocus]

The rigid containers should not be on the top level above the wrapped items to prevent drips during the sterilization and exhaust process. The BIs do not prove the items are sterile. They have to be matched with the physical printout, and the chemical indicators, (CI) What BI color change is positive and what is negative?

[@2thang2]

You are correct! I made a follow up video addressing the mistake that I have made. Rest assured that the following instruments were re-sterilized because of this incident! The BI’s that we use turn black once it goes through the sterilization process. Once incubated, the BI needs to be negative, this is to ensure that all instruments in the load are sterile. If for whatever reason the BI comes out positive then the load has and is considered a failed load and needs to be re-sterilized immediately. In the scenario that an instrument tray is in the OR when the BI has a positive reading (failed load) then it needs to be recalled immediately before it it used on the patient. Hope this information helps!

[@chinlesswonderkid]

Can u please do a video of Oro-Maxillofacial instruments being wrapped and sterile?

[@2thang2]

I can certainly try!

[@muneermenattil4826]

Nice department 👍

[@Brittanskylan]

I love this video u made things more understanding

[@constancebond4860]

I need some dramamine or a scopolomine patch for motion sickness. Not everyone has this up to date high tech equipment.

[@olgal.zapata4244]

please do not cover any information with the sticker ,date ,time etc., place on top of cycle print to be performed to show bowie, prevac, gravity , therefore when scan in the system it will show for further inspection .

[@MMA93M]

are you suppose to memorize the names of the instrument sets? I recently got a job as a sterile processing tech and everyone around me seem to know every single tray and instruments lol even the ones that are hard to pronounce and i'm just standing there confused on what they're talking about

[@2thang2]

As a sterile processing tech yes you’re supposed to know the names and how it is used on the patient. When they start you off they usually make you memorize 250 instruments names. Of course there are literally more than a thousand instruments out there. They just make you memorize the ones that are used often. It can be annoying sometimes, as there are more than one name for one instrument. Which can be confusing at times especially when you’re assembling putting up sets.

[@schristy999]

is it better to find a job in this before certification... im currently taking an online course for my certification?

[@2thang2]

Yes! That’s exactly what I did

[@schristy999]

@@2thang2 cool thanks for the reply.. im excited to start this career and these videos really help.

[@2thang2]

@@schristy999 glad my videos helped you out and good luck! 👍🏻

[@aminasyraf2139]

How about vaccum test cycle, once a week or every day before sterile load ?

[@2thang2]

I believe every hospital is different, however where I used to work they do it once a week. Usually every Saturday.

[@anng.3536]

Can you make a video which instruments goes to autoclave and which instruments goes to steerad machine?

[@2thang2]

That’s a good suggestion. I’ll see what I can do. Thank you!

[@Roxanne_Lipz]

You should of got a body camera lol

[@2thang2]

I should lol

[@aaabunni2301]

If u dont mind can u show us cycle of processing when we get decontaminated instrument till we send it to OR So from A to Z Thanks alot of ur previous videos

[@sarahnguyen6696]

Im from Canada but I’m intrigued to see the similarities/differences 😄

[@2thang2]

I’ve always wanted to go to Canada! Lol it should be the same as far as the job goes but you should definitely let us know!

[@sarahnguyen6696]

@@2thang2 haha true!! we use the alex gold system instead !!

[@TheYzooon]

Why do you wear full ppe in clean area?

[@2thang2]

If you’re referring to me wearing gloves in the clean side it’s because I’m just used to wearing gloves. You’re technically not supposed to, however most facilities let you wear them depending on how cool management is

[@jettgaudetcalicdan5704]

Had a question regarding loaner instruments. Is there a breakout room in decon where they're checked in? I'm getting confused on where the breakout rooms should be. I recall one being in sterile storage but idk if they're the same or different in terms of what's stored where.

[@jettgaudetcalicdan5704]

Trying to get that CCMCC group project done, lol

[@2thang2]

That’s a good question actually, it all depends on the facility, for example the hospital where I work at they have their breakout room across from the decontamination room. Others have it in a completely separate room but it’s more ideal to have it in or near the decontamination room for easy access. Hope this answers your questions. And cool I remember doing that project too it was so stressful we didn’t know how to do it lol

[@LuxLife24]

@@jettgaudetcalicdan5704 whats a CCMCC group project?

[@_Vosaic]

Currently using this as a what not to do video in class

[@2thang2]

Is there something I did wrong?

[@_Vosaic]

@@2thang2 Not to me but my instructor did notice that you stacked the wrapped trays and we're told not to do this because it can cause holes, And when adding stickers onto the loaners we should wait till after because they can plug the drain if they fall off. My comment was supposed to be more sarcastic but i didn't add more so i apologize if it came off rude lol I didn't mean for it to.

[@_Vosaic]

other than that this is very informative so thank you.

[@2thang2]

@@_Vosaic your instructor is absolutely right! I didn’t notice that until after I finished that load. Luckily it didn’t cause a wet load, but normally you’re not supposed to do that. Been in this field for a couple years now and I sill make mistakes (unintentionally of course). I know OG techs that have been working in SPD for 30 years and they make mistakes as well, it’s inevitable. We just have to learn from it. As for the sticker label I didn’t know that was a thing honestly that’s the first time I ever heard that. Probably because all hospitals run a little different but that’s good to know. Thank you!

[@_Vosaic]

@@2thang2 Of course! thank you for being so kind to clarify i find your videos very informative and less scary then hearing the stories i have lol

[@lionnelfa]

Thank you man!

[@masonmankean]

How do you clean and sterilized electrical and battery powered devices

[@2thang2]

Good question! For the batteries we hand wash them as they are temperature sensitive which is why they cannot go through the washer. And to sterilize them we put them in a sterrad machine instead of the steam sterilizer. The temperature in the steam sterilizer is too much for the batteries, whereas the sterrad machine isn’t that much in terms of temperature however it does uses a high level disinfectant for the sterilization process. Hope this helps

[@yo1human]

What facility is this? it’s really nice.

[@dionkas5117]

great videos

[@2thang2]

Thank you!

[@RockSimmer-gal4God]

I thought the colour would change but didn’t know wat.

[@2thang2]

Yes we use sterilization tape. So once a wrapped tray has been through the sterilization process the tape will change color indicating it is sterile.

[@jettgaudetcalicdan5704]

I know that SPD is divided into a 3-section workflow. Would doing sterilization fall under the duties in prep-and-pack/assembly or is it part of sterile storage?

[@2thang2]

Sterilization would be part of prep and pack because it is located in the same room. Sterile storage is also located in the SPD department as well.

[@aaabunni2301]

Thx Alot alot

[@Chris-bc3zm]

Do you have to do a warm leak and dart test on these type of sterilizers ?

[@2thang2]

Yes we do a dart test every day (morning shift does this) and we also do a leak test, however the leak test is done once a week. Well at least in the facility I’ve been to. Others may be different

[@tOnySi]

how long does it take to really get everything down by heart. how many months of training wiht someone looking over you here

[@2thang2]

Well based off my experience I’d say it usually takes somewhere between 3-6 months to get everything down. Depending on the facility and how busy it is. Usually when it’s busy there will be no time for training

[@joecal8537]

Hi do you still keep the all the documents paper after you scan to the computer?

[@2thang2]

With some hospitals it’s not a requirement. Others like kaiser yes. I personally think it’s extremely annoying and time consuming because you have to document those electronically so saving them on paper it’s just redundant

[@kevinpaul7709]

What houry pay your state?

[@2thang2]

Currently in San Francisco Bay Area it’s between $35-$40 an hour

[@jinemarie7286]

Wait you don’t get in trouble for filming your work please?

[@2thang2]

I only make videos when it’s just me in the department. If I record videos with coworkers around that’s when I get in trouble. I just can’t say my exact location of where I work.

[@mimitoure9740]

В Европе белый слой бумаги должен быть снаружи

[@missware2677]

Thank you very much. I passed my test in 2015 but have never worked with it. Now I want to apply for job but not sure of myself , do you have any tips for me? I’ve been watching videos on KZbin to refresh my mind.

[@2thang2]

I think you would have to take the test again since you last took it in 2015. You should definitely study the name of the instruments and the whole program as well. Might seem like a lot but don’t get overwhelmed it’s just pretty much common sense things like “what to do when you drop an instrument on the clean side?” Just take it back to decon. Things like that. They have online courses you can study for free.

[@missware2677]

@@2thang2 thank you 🙏 I’ve been renewing the license every year so it’s active . Your videos make the job seem easy and I love it, keep posting for us.

[@2thang2]

@@missware2677 oh really? That’s awesome! Smart move on your part. You would only have to apply then and hope you get that interview! Working as a sterile processor is pretty easy once you get the hang of it

[@missware2677]

@@2thang2 thank you 🙏

[@chasmckinney24]

I'm currently in class and start clinical next semester. Is it harder than it looks?

[@chasmckinney24]

I'm not saying it's easy but it looks hard. I guess I meant to say is it easier than it looks?

[@2thang2]

@@chasmckinney24 well at first it can seem a bit overwhelming but once you get the hang of it the work is pretty easy honestly

[@chasmckinney24]

Can I see a wrapping video? You did those so well!

[@2thang2]

@@chasmckinney24 lol thank you. I try to wrap them nice every single time. You have no idea how many times I’ve seen ugly wrapping in my department

[@chasmckinney24]

@@2thang2 I definitely need practice lol

[@incognitwo4235]

What do you think of sterile tech 1 job at kaiser?

[@2thang2]

Honestly i think it’s a great start to work there. Did they give you an interview?

[@incognitwo4235]

@@2thang2 no I haven’t applied yet but I’m thinking because i really wannna work at ahospital. Im currently working at a medical device company. What’s the schedule for day shift? You work at kaiser?

[@2thang2]

@@incognitwo4235 I currently work day shift and it’s from 7-3:30PM. I don’t work at kaiser anymore. I work at a different hospital now

[@jwayn2k215]

22:04 ERROR! YOU put a RIGID container ABOVE a WRAPPED tray,,, just fyi CYA - SPD

[@2thang2]

I know I realized I made a mistake so I addressed it in the next video. Thank you for pointing that out!

[@sarahnguyen6696]

Can u do a vid on scopes?

[@2thang2]

You mean like a GI scope? I can definitely try to make one when I get the chance. We’ve been really busy lately especially with this whole COVID thing going on

[@athulathulmv1238]

Any job vacancy in cssd department

[@2thang2]

They actually have job openings for every shift. Lots of people are doing overtime

[@margarettami2877]

It’s a lot omg 😱

[@2thang2]

Oh yes lol it can be overwhelming at times. Especially if you’re working by yourself

[@MrRlucasj]

SPM is the greatest software for sterile processing Censitrac is garbage

[@2thang2]

I totally agree 100% lol

[@MrRlucasj]

@@2thang2 whoever made Censitrac should be hung

[@Rian-vk8kj]

What is a realistic yearly pay for this career? I live in New York on Long Island.