What Is It?

Clinical supplies, including sterile items, must be stored and handled to maintain the integrity of packaging and prevent contamination from any source. All sterile items must be stored in a designated area and handled in accordance with legislation. 

Any item found to be incorrectly wrapped, damaged, already opened, wet, or with no indication of having been through a sterilisation process should be considered non-sterile and unsuitable. 

Factors that may compromise the sterility of stock include

Incorrect cleaning procedures in the storage area

Moisture or condensation

Incorrect temperature

Excessive exposure to sunlight and other sources of ultraviolet light

Insects or vermin

Inappropriate packaging materials

Incomplete sealing of the sterile package

Sharp objects, rough handling, or use of elastic bands causing damage to the packaging

Incorrect handling during transportation

Storage Area 

The sterile stock storage area may be a cupboard or shelving, which should be signposted as 'Sterile Stock Storage Area' and used for this purpose only

All walls, floors, ceiling lights, surfaces, and containers of the sterile stock storage area must be non-porous, smooth, and able to be easily cleaned

When open shelving is used as the sterile stock storage area, all sterile items must be stored at least 250mm from floor level and at least 440mm from ceiling fixtures

Cardboard boxes should not be used as storage containers for sterile stock as they cannot be adequately cleaned

Handling Sterile Items

Hand hygiene must be performed before handling any sterile stock

All items should be checked on delivery and returned to the supplier if contaminated or damaged

All goods received should be taken out of the outer shipping carton to remove any environmental or pest contaminants that may be on the cartons

Goods must be stored dry, dust-free and their package/wrap should provide an effective barrier to micro-organisms during storage

Sterile goods should be stored flat and in appropriately sized containers to avoid damaging the product(s)

When more than one item is stored in a container, dividers should be used to keep all items separate

Avoid exposure to heat, sunlight, or other sources of ultraviolet light that may compromise the product's integrity

Plastic dust covers may be used for sterile items that require prolonged storage time to protect them from contamination (e.g., dust)

Monitoring and cleaning

A process for checking and reviewing use-by dates should be in place. The sterile stock storage area should be included in a documented routine cleaning schedule to ensure it is kept clean and dry, free from dust, insects, and vermin.