FLASH STERILIZATION (STEAM)

Abstract

Flash sterilization is an integral part of every OR nurses job and like everything else in health care, the processes and recommended practices regard- ing it are constantly evolving. A number of years ago flash sterilization used to be defined as "steam sterilization using the unwrapped method" (AAMI Recommended Practice 1986). The more current definitions describe it as steam sterilization of items for immediate use or emergency sterilization. You may also hear it referred to as "just in time" sterilization. However it is described, the underlying premise of flash sterilization is that the goods have not been pre-packaged and conventionally sterilized (AAMI ST37-1992). The absence of packaging creates good news and bad news. The good news is that items can be sterilized more quickly than those in conventional packages. The bad news is that items must be used immediately because they cannot be stored.