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The four zones of the sterilization area
Also called: receiving area, packaging area, storage area
Receiving and cleaning, packaging, sterilizing, and storage each have a place.
The receiving and cleaning zone has the sink, ultrasonic cleaner or washer, and holding containers. The packaging zone has clean counters, pouches, wraps and indicators. The sterilization zone has the sterilizers with room to load, unload and cool, and often the spore test incubator. Storage is enclosed and dry, for sterile packs and single-use supplies.
What you do
- Keep each zone's supplies in that zone so you are not crossing back and forth.
Related
Sources: CDC. Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings, 2003. MMWR 2003;52(RR-17)