Final answer:
The medical assistant should ensure the steam directly contacts the items by keeping packages loose, set the autoclave to the proper temperature and pressure, and adjust the exposure time according to the load to ensure sterilization of the hemostats.
Step-by-step explanation:
To ensure sterilization when loading prepackaged hemostats into an autoclave, a medical assistant should adhere to the standard operating procedures, which include the following steps:
- Ensure that the steam must directly contact the items being sterilized by keeping instrument packages or wraps loose, allowing the steam to penetrate effectively.
- Confirm that the autoclave is set to the standard operating temperatures, typically 121 °C or 132 °C, under a pressure of 15 to 20 psi.
- Calibrate the exposure time based on the volume and nature of the material, usually starting at 20 minutes for an average load, to guarantee the sterilization of all items, including the destruction of endospores.
By following these steps, the medical assistant can ensure the effective sterilization of hemostats to maintain aseptic conditions and prevent the risk of infection to patients.