Chapter 7 Sterilization and Disinfection of Patient-Care Items 52 From Policy to Practice: OSAP’s Guide to the Guidelines What If... ... a sterile instrument pack falls on the floor? Is it still sterile? If you drop a sterile in- strument pack, inspect the package for damage to the wrap or the contents. If packaging is compromised in any way — that is, if it is torn, punctured, or wet — repackage the contents in new packaging material and sterilize it again. Storing Sterile and Clean Patient-Care Items If available, use closed or covered cabinets to store dental supplies and in- struments to keep sterile packs away from contaminants. Never store dental supplies and instruments under sinks or in other locations where they can become wet. Use either date- or event-related storage. Date-related storage uses shelf life and the “first in, first out” principle to store and distribute sterile instru- ment packs. The event-related approach recognizes that the contents of a sterile package should remain sterile indefinitely, unless some circumstance — such as moisture or a tear in the packaging material — causes it to be- come contaminated. Always inspect packages containing sterile supplies before use. If the pack- age is moist, torn, or otherwise compromised, clean contents again, repack- age using new wrap, and sterilize the items again. Sterile instrument packages that are cool and dry can be handled with clean hands. Store sterile instrument packages and clean patient-care items in closed or covered drawers or cabinets to protect them from droplet spatter and other contaminants. Wait for instrument packs to cool after the sterilization cycle. Handling hot and wet packages can transmit bacteria from the hands. If you drop a sterile instrument pack... Inspect the package If it is torn, punctured, or or wet... If packaging has not been damaged... Items inside are safe for use Discard the compromised packaging, reclean the instruments, repackage using fresh wrap, and sterilize again