4.6 Relating Microbiology to Sterile Reprocessing

Having an understanding of the basic principles of microbiology and how organisms are transmitted will help any medical professional, and specifically medical device reprocessing technicians (MDRTs), to understand their important role in the prevention of disease. A basic understanding of the principals of microbiology discussed in this chapter will ensure that MDRTs can work effectively in their field.

By controlling the spread of infection through correct techniques in instrument cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization, each MDRT acts as a patient advocate in providing safe patient care. Tissue and body waste are the most common types of soil found in medical device reprocessing areas (MDRAs). Chemicals used in an MDRA disrupt the chemical balance in cells within these tissues, destroying the cell. Also, items are kept dry in the MDRA to reduce moisture, eliminating favourable conditions for cell growth because, as we learned in this chapter, without moisture, the cytoplasm of a cell will dry out, and the cell will no longer be able to carry out its functions.

We also learned about bacteria during this chapter and some of their unique characteristics. Bacterial spores are very difficult to destroy. If a disinfection or sterilization process is capable of killing bacterial spores, it can be assumed that all other microbes are destroyed as well. Disinfectants, or sterilants, that are capable of destroying bacterial spores are called sporicidal. 

Biofilms, is another aspect of microbiology that is important for MDRT to be aware of. In simplest terms, this forms when communities of microbes attach to each other and surfaces. Microbes form a “slime” barrier to protect the colony from environmental and physical threats, including disinfection and sterilization. Biofilms quickly adhere to the surfaces of surgical instruments and are very difficult to remove with traditional cleaning methods. Further, once a biofilm matures, it can release new microbes to form biofilms on other surfaces. Though some biofilms can be beneficial, on medical devices, biofilms can lead to healthcare associated infections (HAIs) and affect patient health and health outcomes.

(EdUniPhysicsAstro, 2020)

Luckily, biofilm formation is easily controlled in a MDRA through prompt cleaning and then thorough drying. By closely following reprocessing steps and standards, biofilm formation on medical devices is minimized or eliminated.

An understanding of microbiology also makes use aware that proteins perform many important functions in a cell, serving as nutrients and enzymes. Proteins also possess certain characteristics that MDRTs should be aware of:

Knowing these characteristics of proteins makes the importance of removing them before sterilization very clear. The examples above show why a knowledge of microbiology is integral for any MDRT. The video below also provides some valuable information about sterile processing as it relates to microbiology.

(Boston Career Institute Brookline Malden Lowell, 2013)

References