STERILIZATION-STEAM

[Insert facility name or a header]

ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVAL
Date Created:
Last Date Revised:
Last Date Reviewed:
Date of Next Review:
Approval signature(s) with title and date of signature:

Signature Title Date

Signature Title Date

Signature Title Date

Purpose
To provide guidance to perioperative personnel for steam sterilization of items to be used in the perioperative
setting. The expected outcome is that the patient is free from signs and symptoms of infection.

Policy
It is the policy of [insert name of facility] that:
 Saturated steam under pressure will be used to sterilize heat- and moisture-stable items unless otherwise
indicated by the device manufacturer.

Procedure Interventions
The following steps will be followed for steam sterilization of items to be used in the perioperative setting:
 Follow manufacturers’ written instructions for use (IFU) for operating steam sterilizers.
 Determine the correct cycle parameters by
o reconciling cycle parameters recommended by the device manufacturer with the sterilizer
manufacturer’s written instructions for the specific sterilization cycle, or
o following the device manufacturers’ instructions when the sterilizer and the device manufacturers’
instructions cannot be reconciled.
 Follow the sterilizer manufacturer’s written IFU for load configuration and placement of items within the
sterilizer.
 Use physical monitors (eg, printouts, digital readings, graphs, gauges) for every cycle and load and
review to verify that conditions necessary for steam sterilization have been met.
 Use external and internal chemical indicators with each package.
o Place a class 1 chemical indicator (ie, process indicator) on the outside of every package unless the
internal indicator is visible through the package material.
o Place a class 5 chemical indicator (ie, integrating indicator) or a class 6 chemical indicator (ie,
emulating indicator) inside every package.
o A class 3 or class 4 chemical indicator may be placed within a package to meet the requirements for
internal monitoring.
o Place chemical indicators in an area within the package that presents a challenge for air removal and
steam contact.
o Consult the chemical indicator manufacturer, the device manufacturer, and the container
manufacturer when there is a question concerning the correct number or placement of internal
chemical indicators.
 Use biological indicators at least weekly, preferably daily according to the manufacturer’s written IFU to
monitor sterilizer efficacy and for load release purposes.

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initials]
 STERILIZATION-STEAM
[Insert facility name or a header]
o Do not release loads containing an implant until the result of the biological indicator test is available.
 After steam sterilization, remove the contents of the sterilizer from the chamber and leave untouched
until cool enough to handle without concern that retained moisture may act as a wick for bacteria on the
hands of personnel who touch the package.
o Do not place warm or hot items on cool or cold surfaces.
o Allow items to cool on the sterilization rack.
o Consider sterile packages that have formed condensate as unsterile, and do not use the contents.

Competency
Perioperative personnel sterilizing items for use in the perioperative setting using steam will receive
education and complete competency verification activities on the principles and processes of steam
sterilization.

Quality
Perioperative personnel sterilizing items for use in the perioperative setting using steam will participate in
quality assurance and performance improvement activities related to steam sterilization.

References
Guideline for sterilization. In: Guidelines for Perioperative Practice. Denver, CO: AORN, Inc.

Petersen C, ed. Infection. In: Perioperative Nursing Data Set. 3rd ed. Denver, CO: AORN, Inc; 2011:254-
276.

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© 2015 AORN, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission. [Insert last-modified date and team member
initials]