title: Monitoring steam sterilization practices in primary care settings.
abstract: Steam sterilization is a common method for processing reusable instruments in ambulatory care settings. Ensuring that sterilization practices are consistent with accepted standards is a quality-of-care parameter as well as an infection control issue. Factors that must be considered in improving performance in this important area are: operator training and continued competency, selection of chemical and biological media and methods, work flow controls, documentation methods and standards, written policies and procedures to support practices, and ongoing monitoring of the system and practices with feedback to responsible persons.
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins Hospital, USA. jkramer@jhmi.edu
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kramer
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Shafer
mesh_terms: D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000592:standards; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004282:Documentation; D017743:Equipment Reuse / Q000592:standards*; D005568:Forms and Records Control; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D008396:Maryland; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D011361:Professional Competence; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D013227:Steam; D013242:Sterilization / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D013227:Steam