September 30, 1994
Lighting
Reconditioning of the medical and surgical
instruments and utensils is dependent upon the
Lighting in SPD is dependent on the
temperature and humidity. The Soiled Receiving
functions associated with the various rooms.
and Decontamination Area, and the Preparation,
Lighting should be uniform, automatic, and
Assembly & Sterilization Area should have
individually controlled to ensure consistency.
individual room temperature and humidity
Task lighting is needed where specific tasks are
controls to maintain 24C (76F), 50% relative
performed. Separate switches should be used
humidity (RH) in the summer and 22C (72F),
so that during off hours task lighting may be
30% relative humidity (RH) in the winter months.
turned off. Furthermore, lights in the Preparation
and Sterilization area and in the Soiled Receiving
Utilities
and Decontamination area should be recessed to
facilitate cleaning. Light fixtures in the Auto Cart
When SPD is located on the ground floor,
Wash and the Manual Equipment Wash should
some experience problems with wet packs in
be waterproof, and surface mounted. Dust and
their steam loads. It has been determined that
moisture resistant fixtures must be used where
this is due to steam pipes feeding from above the
humid conditions are present.
sterilizers.
It is advisable that steam pipes
should enter from below the sterilizer.
Emergency Power
Floor Drains
Since ventilation and adequate temperature
are integral in the function of SPD, the
The Manual Equipment Wash Area requires
mechanical system must always be connected to
a floor drain. A floor drain for this area should
the emergency electrical system to insure a
have a minimum 100 mm (4 inch) diameter
constant source of electrical supply. Airflow is
outlet, and be covered by a grid or strainer.
crucial to SPD, thus ventilation must always be
Location of the drain should be at the center of
operational to prevent cross contamination.
the room with the floor sloping toward the drain
Because EtO is flammable, extremely reactive,
at a rate of no less than 3 mm per 25 mm (1/8
highly explosive, and a potential carcinogen,
inch per foot), and no more than 6 mm per 25
every sterilizer and aerator must have a
mm (1/4 inch per foot). The floors outside both
dedicated exhaust system to the outside of the
doors of the Manual Equipment Wash Area
building. Vents must not terminate close to any
should slope back toward the drain.
air induction systems. EtO gas release monitors
should be placed outside of the EtO Sterilizer
room in both the Soiled Receiving and
Electrical
Decontamination
Area
and
the
Sterile
SPD processes pumps, monitors, and other
Preparation Area, as a warning system for
electronic devices that are used in patient care.
potential EtO leaks.
The EtO gas release
These devices are rechargeable and must be
monitors must be connected to the emergency
calibrated in the Equipment Testing and Storage
power supply, ensuring that the monitors are
Area. A sufficient amount of power strips must
operational at all times.
All sterilization
be provided to handle the amount of electronic
equipment should be connected to emergency
equipment brought down to SPD.
power.
Computer (ADP) outlets should be installed
in the Administrative Offices, Computer Room,
Telecommunications (intercom
and the Dispatch Area for use of the computers.
system)
Refer to the VA Electrical Design Manual and H-
08-4, Vol. 4, for further information.
An interdepartmental intercom system is a
convenient way for SPD employees to
VA Design Guide -- Supply, Processing, & Distribution
Page 2-5
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