Final answer:
Instruments used on patients with known or suspected CJD should be single-use and disposable. If not disposable, strict sterilization involving cleaning and soaking in a strong basic solution like NaOH is necessary, following protective measures by the staff. Procedures must ensure a sterile field and the use of aseptic techniques.
Step-by-step explanation:
When dealing with instruments used on patients with known or suspected Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD), unless otherwise specified by the device manufacturer, these instruments should be single-use and disposable.
For items that are not disposable, it is imperative that they undergo thorough sterilization processes to avoid the transmission of the disease. Standard methods of sterilization are often insufficient due to the nature of the prions that cause CJD. Instead, instruments must be cleaned and then soaked in a strong basic solution, such as a 1 N Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) solution. Personnel handling potentially contaminated materials should wear protective clothing and follow strict hygiene protocols, including the use of cut-resistant gloves, to reduce the risk of transmission.
Moreover, medical procedures that pose a risk for contamination, such as surgeries, must be conducted within a sterile field, and aseptic techniques must be strictly adhered to. This ensures that critical items that come in direct contact with sterile tissues or the bloodstream maintain the highest level of cleanliness to prevent any possibility of sepsis.