Packaging Items for Sterilization

Purpose/ Applicability: The purpose of this SOP it to instruct the proper procedure for packaging items for sterilization. 

Scope: To be used when sterilization of items is necessary to ensure effective elimination of transmissible agents. 

Definition:
Sterilization – The process of eliminating, removing, killing, or deactivating all forms of microorganisms present on a specific object. 

- Heat Sterilization/Autoclave/Steam
o Used for solid metal objects and cloth material such as packs/gauze.

-Gas Sterilization/Ethylene Oxide (EO)
o Used for anything containing plastic parts or pieces.

- Hydrogen Peroxide Sterilization (H2O2)
o Used for things requiring quick turnaround or items gas cannot fully sterilize.

When packaging is uncompromised, the contents of the package remain sterile for one year.Once expired, the item will need to be sterilized in new packaging. Packaging that has a hole, is wet, or opened is considered un-sterile and will need to be repackaged and sterilized.

Equipment:

• Autoclave
• EO unit
• H2O2 unit (Sterrad) 
• Items to be sterilized
• Packaging materials – 

• • Non-woven drape wrap and/or woven cloth drape
  • Sterrad drape material
  • Self-sealing pouches in appropriate size and for appropriate sterilization unit
  • Sleeve roll in appropriate size and for appropriate sterilization unit
  • Sterilization indicator tape (Green = EO, Brown = Autoclave, Sterrad tape = H2O2)
  • Sterilization indicator strip for Autoclave
  • Sterilization indicator strip for H2O2

Procedure:

1. Determine the proper type of sterilization required
   
   
2. Ensure items are clean, free of foreign material and completely dry
   
   
3. Package in appropriate material
   a. Self-sealing pouch-
   - Needs to be folded at the dotted perforation to ensure proper closure.
   - H2O2 requires a sterilization indicator strip placed within the pouch.
   - Items with sharp or pointed ends need to be double packaged to prevent holes. The inner package should not be folded to allow for proper sterilization.
   - Items with multiple separate pieces need to be individually packaged then packaged together.
   
   b. Sleeve roll-
   - Cut sleeve to the desired length. Provide enough material at each end to allow room for the package to be opened without contamination. 
   - Insert item to be sterilized. 
   - Fold over each end ¾-1” and tape closed. Ensure tape wraps around packaging from the front to back and completely seals the package, leaving no holes/gaps on the sides. Create tabbed ends of tape to aid in opening packaging. Use green indicator tape for EO items, brown indicator tape for the autoclave items and Sterrad indicator tape for H2O2. 
   - H2O2 requires sterilization indicator strip placed within the package.
   - Items with sharp or pointed ends need to be double-packaged to prevent 
   holes. The inner package should not be folded to allow for proper sterilization.
   - Items with multiple separate pieces need to be individually packaged then packaged together.
   
   c. Non-woven drape wrap and/or woven cloth drape (for Autoclave)
   - Use new appropriately sized blue non-woven drapes and check for holes/tears. 
   - If using non-woven drape, use 2 drapes to create a double layer.
   - Lay items intended for pack on the drape.
   - Place Sterilization Indicator strip for Autoclave on top of items.
   - Fold drape
   - Use brown indicator tape to seal the pack
   
   d. Drape for Sterrad (H2O2)
   - Use new appropriately sized drapes and check for holes/tears. 
   - Use 2 drapes to create a double layer.
   - Lay items intended for pack on the drape.
   - Place Sterilization Indicator strip for H2O2 on top of items.
   - Fold drape
   - Use Sterrad H2O2 indicator tape to seal the pack.
   
   
4. Label each package with:
   a. Date (month/day/year) it was packaged
   b. Service from which pack is from
   c. Description of what is in pack
   d. Initials of person responsible for packaging
   
   
5. Bring to appropriate area for sterilization.