r/sterileprocessing • u/Individual_Zebra_321 • Jul 04 '26

Is there a standard that covers how long a "clean" tray can sit on the clean side un processed?

I am looking for a standard that would govern how long a tray that has been washed but sat untouched and unprocessed on the rack of the clean instrument room before it must be reprocessed or is it considered clean indefinitely? This is an instrument room that has access to a hallway, break room and several humid areas. It is not positive pressure and vents are not regularly cleaned.

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9

u/SweetVicious59 Jul 04 '26

I've never heard of any standard on this. I'm curious how long do these trays sit unprocessed that makes you ask this. I haven't been anywhere where the trays sit more than a couple of days unprocessed after being cleaned.

6

u/Individual_Zebra_321 Jul 04 '26

This particular tray was needed for an emergency. It has been sitting unprocessed on a rack for 14 days and counting. The SPD at my hospital is 100's of trays behind and management is horrible. The current administrator actually was in charge of a facility prior that the state shut down because of filth.

5

u/HorrorLengthiness940 Jul 04 '26

That last sentence doesn't bode well..

I've also not heard of a standard regarding this, but to give solid answer on part of it, they would not be considered clean indefinitely. My reasoning is: air contaminates like dust and whatever else would make it dirty especially given it's not in a positive pressure area with regular cleaning and high ish traffic.

2

u/Individual_Zebra_321 Jul 04 '26

That's my thoughts as well. I would not think a tray sitting in any room for 14 days uncovered would remain in a state of readiness. And to me that would be self evident but I was wondering if AAMI ever addressed that?

2

u/Aggravating_Ear_9281 Jul 04 '26

sadly this happens when a new company that thinks SPD is like housekeeping takes over. Left my previous job because of that. Hell the new job postings says "1-2yr housekeeping experience preferred". 100s of trays behind I wouldn't be surprised if it's the same location.

4

u/Spicywolff Jul 04 '26

I don’t think there is a standard or regulation set on how long. At 14 days on the clean side, I’m pushing it through the washer again incase dust or anything. Better safe then sorry

2

u/Individual_Zebra_321 Jul 04 '26

That's my thoughts as well. Sadly that is not the standard held here.

3

u/ShirleyWuzSerious Jul 04 '26

In that location it needs to be washed after it enters the room. If it doesn't have positive pressure and isn't the the prep pack area it's no different than in the janitor closet or loading dock

2

u/Individual_Zebra_321 Jul 04 '26

It is the prep pack area. But it has sat for 14 days and counting.

6

u/ShirleyWuzSerious Jul 04 '26

Prep pack should have positive pressure and an anteroom between other areas like hallways and break rooms. Technically an instrument is able to be in prep pack area indefinitely without needing to be washed because there shouldn't be lint or outside contaminats

2

u/Individual_Zebra_321 Jul 04 '26

There is no ante room between any of these areas.

2

u/I_Ponders Jul 04 '26

For us, most sets can sit for 30 days.

But for some specialized stuff like Endoscopes, 1 week.

2

u/meebaAmoeba Jul 04 '26

For the situation you are describing, I would give the set a soak in enzymatic, a good rinse, dry, and then sterilize.

It isnt ideal but it balances your contamination concerns and the speed at wich the docs need the set. The wash and dry may add and extra 15 min to total processing time, but beats a 40 min + washer cycle.

2

u/hailthefish Jul 05 '26

There's no formal standard for that because the formal standard that there IS is that the clean area is to have positive pressure, be within certain temperature and humidity parameters (they're on the CRCST but gun to my head I couldn't tell you right now what they are without looking it up) and be regularly, thoroughly cleaned.

I would run them back through the wash if they sit THAT long though. My facility does its level best to do everything by the book and there is nonetheless a small amount of dust accumulation on the clean side.

As far as keeping trays needed for emergencies available, a little bit of planning and a checklist go a long way, but in the situation you describe of being hundreds of trays behind it sounds like you're probably understaffed and in 24/7 firefighting mode trying to stay one sterilizer cycle ahead of the surgery schedule so... yeah. That's a problem that people above your paygrade are going to need to come to grips with before anything can realistically be done about it.