title: A process for improving flash sterilization.
abstract: In reviewing OR policies and procedures for flash sterilization, staff members at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas discovered that their process of biological monitoring and flash sterilization needed improvement, and they implemented changes to correct the process. These changes led to questions regarding biological indicators and the flash sterilization container systems being used. As a result, the overall time required for flash sterilization was increased to validate the sterilization process.
authors.affiliation: Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas, USA.
authors.forename: Karen A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Huggins
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mood
authors.forename: Fran
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Koch
mesh_terms: D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D016519:Hospitals, Religious; D006786:Hospitals, Urban; D006801:Humans; D016134:Organizational Policy; D011340:Problem Solving; D013242:Sterilization / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D013525:Surgical Instruments / Q000592:standards*; D013781:Texas; D013997:Time Factors; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration*