Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) Sterile Processing Technician Practice Exam

A small cut is noted in the cord of an IV Pump that has been disinfected. Which of the following steps should the CS/SPD technician take?

1. Send to the biomedical engineering department

2. Dispose of immediately

3. Re-disinfect the pump

4. Use for patient care

The correct answer is: Send to the biomedical engineering department

In the case of a small cut noted in the cord of an IV Pump that has already been disinfected, the appropriate action is to send the device to the biomedical engineering department. This course of action is critical because any damage to the electrical cord can pose a safety hazard, including the risk of electrical shock to both patients and healthcare staff. Biomedical engineering departments are equipped to evaluate, repair, or properly dispose of medical equipment. Disposing of the pump immediately can seem like a safe option, but it does not allow for the assessment of whether the pump can be repaired. Re-disinfecting the pump would not address the underlying safety issue posed by the damaged cord, and using the pump for patient care could endanger patient safety due to the potential for equipment malfunction. Thus, notifying biomedical engineering is the most responsible step, ensuring that the IV Pump is addressed by professionals who can either repair it or deem it unfit for use without compromising safety.