More Clarification about Sterilizing Equipment

• 10/22/2009
• Author: Janet Pimentel
• Category: The Source Blog
• 20893 Views
• 0 Comments
• 

In late August I wrote a blog about The Joint Commission’s latest statement regarding steam sterilization. Questions from the field have prompted The Joint Commission to provide more clarification and specific direction for the requirements for Standard IC.02.02.01, which addresses reducing the risks associated with medical equipment, devices, and supplies. Organizations will notice the clarification and more specific direction in the 2009 Update 2 that will arrive in the mail in early November for hospitals, critical access hospitals, home care, ambulatory care and office-based surgery practices or the 2010 Comprehensive Accreditation Manuals (CAMs) for behavioral health care, long term care, and laboratories.

Element of Performance (EP) 1 for Standard IC.02.02.01 has been modified to address lower risk processes, such as cleaning and low-level disinfection for such items as stethoscopes and blood glucose meters. Changes in the text for EP 2 address high-risk processes, specifically intermediate- and high-level disinfection and sterilization for such items as respiratory equipment and specula. The changes to EPs 1 and 2 are effective immediately.

If you want to view the EP changes and you haven’t yet received your 2009 Update 2 or 2010 CAMs, you can view the pre-publication standards posted on The Joint Commission’s Web site at http://www.jointcommission.org/Standards/Pre-PublicationStandards/ through October 31, 2009.

More resources for The Source: • Home • Current Issue • About • FAQ • Subscribe • Online Access • Contact