1Launching Your CRCST Certification Journey: A Final Word Before We Begin
66Designing the Sterile Storage Area for Maximum Sterility Assurance
2Introduction to Sterile Processing
67Separation and Zoning
3Central Service Department Functions
68Stock Rotation and Inventory Management: Avoiding Dead Stock and Expirations
4Role in Patient Care and Infection Control
69Event-Related vs. Time-Related Sterility: A Paradigm Shift
5Workflow from Decontamination to Sterile Storage
70Handling Special Cases in Storage
6Collaboration with Surgical Teams and Hospital Staff
71Documentation and Auditing in Sterile Storage
7Key Terminology and Acronyms
72Inventory Control and Management: Case Cart Systems
8Common Terms in Sterile Processing
73Transport and Distribution Protocols
9Abbreviations Used on the CRCST Exam
74Delivery to User Areas
10Professional Ethics and Conduct
75Tracking and Chain of Custody
11Accountability and Integrity in Central Service
76Infection Control and Safety
12Patient Confidentiality and Legal Responsibilities
77Understanding Infection Transmission: Standard and Transmission-Based Precautions
13Professional Communication Skills
78Transmission-Based Precautions: Targeted Defense: Cross-Contamination Prevention
14Key Components
79Biofilms and Instrument Contamination
15Point of Use Preparation
80Exam-Ready Tips
16Receiving and Sorting
81Workplace Safety Regulations
17Manual Cleaning Techniques
82OSHA Guidelines and PPE Use
18Automated Cleaning Systems
83Ergonomics in Sterile Processing
19Cross-Contamination Risks
84Environmental Cleaning and Waste Disposal: Cleaning Protocols for Work Areas
20Occupational Safety
85Regulations, Standards, and Compliance
21Common Exam Pitfalls and Expert Tips: Avoiding Misconceptions
86Governing Bodies and Guidelines
22Decontamination and Disinfection
87AAMI, CDC, OSHA, and FDA
23Receiving and Handling Used Instruments
88Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
24Transport Guidelines and Safety
89Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
25The Imperative of Safe Transport
90AAMI’s Role in Shaping Sterile Processing
26Sorting, Precleaning, and Inspection
91Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): The Infection Control Authority
27Cleaning and Decontamination Processes: Manual Cleaning and Ultrasonic Equipment
92Food and Drug Administration (FDA): The Medical Device Overseer
28Chemical Disinfection Principles
93Device Classification and Premarket Clearance
29Overview of Chemical Disinfection
94Joint Commission Standards
30Low- and High-Level Disinfectants
95The Scope of TJC Standards Relevant to Sterile Processing: Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Standards
31Instrumentation and Equipment
96The Critical Importance of Documentation in Sterile Processing
32Basic Surgical Instruments: Types and Classifications of Surgical Instruments
97Logs: The Daily Operational Chronicle
33Instrument Inspection and Testing
98Load Records: The Sterile Pack’s Identity Card
34Detecting Damage or Malfunction
99Incident Reports
35Testing Scissors, Forceps, and Laparoscopic Tools
100Audits and Accreditation Preparation:: Internal Quality Assurance (QA) Programs
36Specialty Devices and Equipment: Rigid and Flexible Endoscopes
101Quality Assurance and Process Improvement
37Preparation and Packaging
102Establishing Quality Assurance (QA) Programs
38Assembly Area Best Practices
103Core Principles of a Robust QA Program
39Workstation Setups and Clean Zones
104Developing QA Policies and Procedures
40Checking for Functionality and Completeness
105Root Cause Analysis
41Packaging Techniques and Protocols: Textiles vs. Nonwoven Wraps
106Using Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to Measure Quality
42Labeling and Load Documentation
107Continuous Improvement Initiatives
43Compliance with AAMI and AORN Standards
108Lean, Six Sigma, and Workflow Redesign
44Traceability and Recordkeeping
109Workflow Redesign: Aligning Processes with Best Practices
45Best Practices for Recordkeeping and Traceability
110Benchmarking and Performance Metrics
46Labeling and Documentation: Common Exam Challenges and Tips
111Handling Nonconformities and Corrective Actions: Incident Reporting
47Sterilization Processes
112Study Plan and Exam Preparation Strategies
48Steam Sterilization Fundamentals
113Creating Your Custom Study Schedule: Prioritizing Topics Based on Strengths and Weaknesses
49Steam Cycles, Temperature, and Pressure
114Effective Study Techniques
50Troubleshooting Steam Sterilization Failures
115Flashcards and Visual Aids
51Documentation, Release Criteria, and Load Recall
116Practice Tests and Group Study
52Low-Temperature Sterilization
117Preparing for Exam Day
53Hydrogen Peroxide Gas Plasma Sterilization (HPGP)
118Registration and Logistics
54Sterilization Monitoring and Quality Assurance
119Test-Taking Strategies
55Physical, Chemical, and Biological Monitors
120Managing Stress and Staying Focused During the Exam
561. Physical Monitors
121Practice Test – Core Concepts and Decontamination
57Storage and Distribution
122Practice Test – Packaging, Sterilization, and Storage
58Sterile Storage Guidelines
123Full-Length Practice Exam 1
59Environmental Controls in Sterile Storage
124Answer Key and Rationales
60Stock Rotation and Inventory Management
125Self-Evaluation Tools
61Event-Related vs. Time-Related Sterility
126Score Analysis
62Environmental Controls and Their Critical Role in Sterile Storage
127Weak Area Identification
63Temperature Control — Why Every Degree Matters
128Full-Length Practice Exam 2
64Humidity Control: The Invisible Threat
129Conclusion
65Air Quality and Ventilation: Keeping Contamination at Bay
