The Foundation of Excellence

Welcome back recent graduates and students. Some of you are applying for your first sterile processing job and others may have recently started your career.  This post will focus on proper “Personal Protective Equipment.” Also known as and referred to as “PPE.”

Let’s Dive into It.

As a new technician in sterile processing one of the first things you will encounter in the different areas of the department is PPE. You will also come to learn that what you wear matters and protects you and your family from illness, disease and possible death. Be mindful that most hospitals also have their own directive or policy when requiring PPE. For this post we will focus on Hygiene.

PPE serves as a barrier against occupational exposure to blood, body fluids, contaminated instruments, chemical disinfectants, and other workplace hazards. Selecting the correct PPE for the task helps protect staff and supports a culture of safety throughout the department.

Personal Hygiene

Hygiene is very important in sterile processing, so let’s get into it. According to ANSI/AAMI ST79, personnel working in Sterile Processing Departments (SPD) should follow personal hygiene and attire practices that minimize contamination of instruments, equipment, and the processing environment.

Here is a breakdown of the guidance on hair, jewelry, and fingernails.

Hair and Facial Hair

All hair must remain covered in sterile processing areas, including decontamination, preparation and packaging (also known as assembly), and sterile storage.

Hair on your head may be covered by a personal or disposable scrub cap. Depending on your facility policy any scrub cap not laundered at the facility must be accompanied by a disposable bouffant. This also includes disposable scrub caps especially when all hair is not covered. As a best practice most facilities requires all hair to be covered with a bouffant including both ears. Be mindful that all hair must be covered and contained to include, extensions, braids, or locs.

Regardless of gender all facial hair must be covered with a disposable beard guard or facial mask. This includes beards and mustaches.

Jewelry

Facial piercings should be addressed through facility policy, however it shouldn’t also interfere with PPE or become dislodged or post a contamination risk. A necklace may be worn but should not interfere with PPE and remain contained within the work attire. Watches and bracelets should not be worn when performing hand hygiene or processing contaminated instruments in decontamination. Rings to include a wedding band should not be worn while processing instrumentation because it can interfere with hand hygiene and glove integrity.

Be mindful to always make sure you are following the standards when it pertains to PPE and hygiene. Observe others in your area, some may be in compliance and others not so much. It’s imperative to always do what is right especially when no one is looking.

Fingernails

Nails should always be kept short, clean and well maintained. No artificial nails, acrylics, or polish to include gel polish are allowed. They can harbor microorganisms and in return contaminate the instrumentation a patient is relying on for their surgery.

Checkout the chart below with the AAMI ST79 standards and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).