Preventive Maintenance, Indicators & Record Keeping

Syllabus

# STE 120 - Preventive Maintenance, Indicators & Record Keeping

**Course Description:**
This course provides comprehensive training in preventive maintenance (PM) for steam sterilizers, emphasizing industry best practices and regulatory compliance. Students will master the identification and application of biological and chemical indicators, understand their role in sterilization validation, and learn to interpret results. The curriculum covers meticulous documentation procedures essential for maintaining equipment logs, PM records, and compliance reports. Furthermore, the course prepares students for relevant certification examinations through targeted review of key concepts and practical application scenarios, ensuring they are proficient in maintaining steam sterilizer efficacy and safety.

**Learning Outcomes:**
*   Identify and categorize various types of biological and chemical indicators used in steam sterilization processes.
*   Perform routine preventive maintenance tasks on steam sterilizers according to manufacturer specifications and industry standards.
*   Interpret and document the results of biological and chemical indicator tests to assess sterilization efficacy.
*   Develop and maintain accurate service records, PM logs, and compliance documentation for steam sterilization equipment.
*   Support sterilization validation processes by understanding critical parameters and documentation requirements.
*   Apply safety protocols and regulatory guidelines relevant to steam sterilizer maintenance and operation.

**Topics by Week:**
*   **Week 1:** Introduction to Steam Sterilization and PM Fundamentals
*   **Week 2:** Steam Sterilizer Components and Operational Principles
*   **Week 3:** Basic Preventive Maintenance Procedures and Safety
*   **Week 4:** Chemical Indicators: Types, Placement, and Interpretation
*   **Week 5:** Biological Indicators: Spore Selection, Incubation, and Interpretation
*   **Week 6:** Sterilization Cycles and Process Variables
*   **Week 7:** Hands-on Biological and Chemical Indicator Testing
*   **Week 8:** Documentation Standards: PM Records and Service Logs
*   **Week 9:** Regulatory Compliance and Quality Assurance in Sterilization
*   **Week 10:** Performance Qualification and Validation Support
*   **Week 11:** Troubleshooting PM-Related Issues
*   **Week 12:** Advanced PM Techniques and Calibration Checks
*   **Week 13:** Midterm review for certification exam preparation
*   **Week 14:** Final exam review and practical application scenarios

**Grading:**
*   Knowledge Checks: 15%
*   Assignments and Labs: 30%
*   Quizzes: 25%
*   Final Exam: 30%

**Policies:**
Attendance and active participation are expected. All assignments must be submitted by the stated deadlines. Academic integrity is paramount; plagiarism or unauthorized collaboration will result in disciplinary action. Students requiring accommodations should contact the Disability Services office.