Sterile Processing Tech Course

Lesson 1 • Department Layout and Workflow Zones

Maps the physical zones of a sterile processing department and the unidirectional workflow between them. Prevents cross-contamination by establishing zone discipline.

Lesson 2 • The Sterile Processing Department Role

Defines the department's function within a healthcare facility and its impact on patient safety. Connects technician duties to infection prevention outcomes.

Lesson 3 • Microbiology Basics for Technicians

Introduces microorganism types, transmission routes, and the microbial hierarchy of resistance. Builds the scientific rationale for decontamination and sterilization methods.

Lesson 4 • Infection Prevention Principles

Explains standard precautions, hand hygiene, and environmental controls that protect staff and patients. Grounds all subsequent processing steps in infection control logic.

Lesson 1 • Donning and Doffing Procedures

Teaches the correct sequence for putting on and removing PPE to prevent self-contamination. Directly applies infection prevention principles from Chapter 1.

Lesson 2 • Hazard Identification in the Department

Identifies biological, chemical, and ergonomic hazards present in each processing zone. Establishes the risk context that drives PPE selection decisions.

Lesson 3 • PPE Selection by Zone and Task

Matches specific PPE types to decontamination, preparation, and sterilization tasks. Reinforces that PPE requirements differ by zone and contaminant type.

Lesson 4 • Chemical Safety and Exposure Response

Covers safety data sheets, chemical labeling, and emergency response to sterilant exposure. Prepares technicians to act correctly during accidental chemical contact.

Lesson 1 • Receiving and Sorting Soiled Instruments

Establishes protocols for accepting soiled case carts and sorting instruments by material and contamination level. Prevents damage and ensures appropriate cleaning pathway selection.

Lesson 2 • Manual Cleaning Techniques

Teaches hand-scrubbing, brushing, and flushing methods for instruments that cannot be mechanically cleaned. Builds foundational cleaning skill applied to complex and delicate devices.

Lesson 3 • Decontamination Verification and Quality Checks

Introduces visual inspection, protein residue testing, and ATP testing to confirm cleaning effectiveness. Establishes quality checkpoints before instruments advance to preparation.

Lesson 4 • Mechanical Cleaning Equipment

Covers ultrasonic cleaners, washer-disinfectors, and cart washers including loading, cycle parameters, and validation. Connects mechanical cleaning to consistent bioburden reduction.

Lesson 1 • Instrument Inspection Techniques

Covers magnification tools, lighting standards, and systematic inspection criteria for cleanliness and function. Ensures defective instruments are identified before packaging.

Lesson 2 • Set Assembly and Count Sheets

Explains how to use instrument count sheets to assemble sets accurately and in correct order. Directly supports surgical team efficiency and patient safety.

Lesson 3 • Instrument Functionality Testing

Teaches testing methods for scissors, clamps, needle holders, and powered instruments. Confirms instruments meet performance standards before inclusion in a set.

Lesson 4 • Packaging Material Selection

Compares woven and nonwoven wraps, pouches, and rigid containers for compatibility with sterilization methods. Guides correct packaging choice based on item type and sterilization modality.

Lesson 1 • Low-Temperature Sterilization Methods

Explains ethylene oxide, hydrogen peroxide gas plasma, vaporized hydrogen peroxide, and ozone sterilization for heat-sensitive devices. Covers safety requirements unique to each low-temperature agent.

Lesson 2 • Sterilization Monitoring and Documentation

Covers physical, chemical, and biological indicators used to verify sterilization cycle success. Establishes the monitoring triad required by regulatory standards.

Lesson 3 • Steam Sterilization

Covers gravity and pre-vacuum steam cycles, critical parameters, and load configuration for steam-compatible instruments. Steam sterilization is the most common modality and the benchmark for all others.

Lesson 4 • Sterilizer Loading and Unloading

Teaches correct load configuration, item positioning, and unloading practices that ensure sterilant contact and prevent wet packs. Directly affects sterilization cycle success.

Lesson 1 • Recall and Retrieval Procedures

Explains how to initiate and execute a sterile item recall when a sterilization failure is identified. Protects patients by ensuring compromised items are removed from use.

Lesson 2 • Sterile Stock Rotation and Inventory Control

Teaches first-in, first-out rotation, par level management, and expired item removal procedures. Ensures sterile inventory is current and available when needed.

Lesson 3 • Sterile Storage Environment Requirements

Defines temperature, humidity, air exchange, and shelving standards for sterile storage areas. Establishes the environmental conditions that preserve package integrity.

Lesson 4 • Event-Related Sterility Concepts

Explains that sterility is maintained until a package is compromised by an event, not by time alone. Guides inventory rotation and package inspection practices.

Lesson 1 • High-Level Disinfection Methods

Explains manual and automated high-level disinfection using glutaraldehyde, OPA, and peracetic acid systems. Covers contact time, concentration testing, and rinse requirements.

Lesson 2 • Endoscope Design and Vulnerability

Describes endoscope channel architecture, materials, and the design features that make reprocessing challenging. Provides the anatomical knowledge needed to clean all internal pathways.

Lesson 3 • Pre-Cleaning and Leak Testing

Covers point-of-use pre-cleaning, transport, and leak testing before full reprocessing begins. Prevents channel damage and confirms scope integrity before immersion.

Lesson 4 • Manual Cleaning of Endoscopes

Details enzymatic soak, channel brushing, flushing, and rinsing steps required before high-level disinfection. Bioburden removal is the most critical step in endoscope reprocessing.

Lesson 1 • Sterilization Failure Response

Covers the steps taken when a biological indicator is positive or a sterilizer malfunctions. Connects recall procedures from Chapter 6 to the broader quality response process.

Lesson 2 • Key Performance Indicators and Metrics

Defines metrics such as biological indicator failure rates, instrument complaint rates, and turnaround time. Teaches technicians to collect and interpret data that drives improvement.

Lesson 3 • Quality Management in Sterile Processing

Introduces quality management system concepts, policy development, and the technician's role in maintaining standards. Frames quality as a system, not an individual act.

Lesson 4 • Root Cause Analysis Techniques

Teaches fishbone diagrams, five-why analysis, and failure mode identification for sterile processing errors. Enables systematic identification of process failures rather than individual blame.