In the event of a power outage during a procedure requiring sterilization, what should be done?

• A. Document the outage and continue without sterilization.
• B. Stop procedure, secure with barriers, store sterile items properly, and resume only after sterilization is verified.
• C. Switch to non-sterile items to finish the procedure.
• D. Delay the procedure to the next available appointment.

Answer: (B)

Power outages during a procedure that requires sterilization threaten the sterile field, so the first priority is to protect the patient from infection. Stop the procedure immediately to avoid compromising asepsis. Secure the area with barriers to maintain the sterile field and prevent accidental contamination, and store sterile items properly to keep them clean and uncontaminated during the outage. Only resume once you have verified that sterilization has been completed or that the sterile status of instruments and surfaces has been confirmed. This approach maintains infection control and ensures that every item entering the patient’s wound or skin is truly sterile. Continuing without sterilization or using non-sterile items would significantly increase infection risk, and delaying to a later appointment doesn’t address the immediate safety concern.