An unwrapped cycle (sometimes called flash sterilization) is a method for sterilizing unwrapped patient-care items for immediate use. The time required for unwrapped sterilization cycles depends on the type of sterilizer and the type of item (ie, porous or nonporous) to be sterilized. The unwrapped cycle in tabletop sterilizers is preprogrammed by the manufacturer to a specific time and temperature setting and can include a drying phase at the end to produce a dry instrument with much of the heat dissipated. If the drying phase requirements are unclear, the operation manual or manufacturer of sterilizer should be consulted. If the unwrapped sterilization cycle in a steam sterilizer does not include a drying phase, or has only a minimal drying phase, items retrieved from the sterilizer will be hot and wet, making aseptic transport to the point of use more difficult. For dry-heat and chemical-vapor sterilizers, a drying phase is not required.
Unwrapped sterilization should be used only under certain conditions
1. Thorough cleaning and drying of instruments precedes the unwrapped sterilization cycle.
2. Mechanical monitors are checked and chemical indicators used for each cycle.
3. Care is taken to avoid thermal injury to DHCP or patients.
4. Items are transported aseptically to the point of use to maintain sterility.
Because all implantable devices should be quarantined after sterilization until the results of biological monitoring are known, unwrapped or flash sterilization of implantable items is not recommended.
Critical instruments sterilized unwrapped should be transferred immediately by using aseptic technique, from the sterilizer to the actual point of use.
Semi-critical instruments that are sterilized unwrapped on a tray or in a container system should be used immediately or within a short time. When sterile items are open to air, they will eventually become contaminated. Storage, even temporary, of unwrapped semi-critical instruments permits exposure to dust, airborne organisms and other unnecessary contamination before use on a patient. A carefully written protocol for minimizing the risk of contaminating unwrapped instruments should be prepared and followed.