Central Sterile Prep & Pack Area

Question:

I was told by a surveyor that you cannot have brushes in the prep and pack area of central sterile.  We use brushes to inspect lumened instruments.  What have you seen for any lumened metal instruments (beyond scopes)?

Answer:

There has been a bit of a debate on this – A total prohibition of brushes on the clean side is too absolute and not actually prohibited by anyone. No cleaning of residual debris should occur on the clean side; staff should not clean off debris and then proceed to pack and sterilize.  

If staff inspecting an item find residual debris, it should be sent back to decontamination (and an occurrence report filled out for data trending perhaps), but allow clean brushes on the clean side if used only for inspection and staff are trained on policy and can speak to this.  

Some IFU call for using a brush to inspect lumens.  If staff can speak to using a brush only for inspection, and if ever they see debris, they would send it back, this would be acceptable.  Also consider purchasing single use pipe cleaner type devices approved for this use by the FDA.