Central sterile services department

These items require high level disinfectants such as glutaraldehyde solution, peracetic acid, or hydrogen peroxide plasma.

Items to be sterilized must first be cleaned in a separate decontamination room and inspected for effectiveness, cleanliness and damage.

If along the supply route, the sealed package got damaged or opened by a health worker, it needs to be returned to the CSSD for re-sterilization.

)[citation needed] Decontamination is the most important step in the sterilization process beginning with point of use cleaning in the operating room.

There are several factors that contribute to having a properly functioning decontamination area: [1] there must be proper dilution of detergents or damage to instruments will occur to include rusting and discoloration, [2] lumens are a big issue so there must be an assortment of brushes with varying lengths and diameters to thoroughly clean inside lumened instruments, [3] SPD staff need to be competent in the use of all processing equipment, [4] monthly in-service should be recurring and completed by the manufacturer's representative, [5] efficacy testing of the equipment should be completed and documented ensuring equipment is functioning as intended.