PLUS 1112-04

This handbook has been developed to answer general questions common to all health care practices and personal services. - How do I process an instrument after I have used it on a patient or client? - What kind of disinfectant should I use? - What kind of sterilizer should I use and do I really need one? - How do I dispose of a contaminated article? - What should I do with needles and other sharps? - How do I store soiled instruments safely until they can be cleaned and sterilized? - What precautions should I take to prevent the spread of infection? - How can I protect my staff and myself without compromising the safety of my patient? This guideline complements the CSA Z314 series of National Standards of Canada, which sets out requirements for medical device cleaning, decontamination, and sterilization in health care facilities. This publication is based on those requirements and is intended to help in their application to office-based facilities. The principles and practices in this guide can also be applied to other offices where infection can be transmitted. These include such personal care services as piercing or tattoo studios, electrolysis services, and hair and nail salons.