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Instruments Care

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Instruments Care and Handling
The proper care and handling of your valuable instruments will improve their longevity and function. Choose a protocol appropriate for your environment from the cleaning techniques below

RINSING
Immediately after use, rinse instruments under warm or cool running water to remove all blood, body fluids and tissue. Dried soils may damage the instrument surface and make cleaning very difficult. Do not use hot water, as this will coagulate portentous substances.

CLEANING TECHNIQUES
Time, temperature, and agitation play important roles in the cleaning process. Time — the efficiency of cleaning chemicals is often time dependent Temperature — higher temperature cleaning solutions result in better cleaning Agitation — whether manual or ultrasonic, it is helpful in loosening the soil on the surface of the instrument

Ultrasonic Cleaning
Ultrasonic is the most effective cleaning method. Ultrasonic cleaning is the result of cavitation. Vibrating sound waves create micron-size bubbles in solution that grow with the alternating pressure. When they reach a resonant size, the bubbles implode creating a force that dislodges dirt and particles, even in the smallest of crevices. Use of ultrasonic detergent greatly improves the cavitation rate as opposed to plain water.

1. Mix enzymatic or other neutral pH or mild alkaline detergent per manufacturer recommendations.
2. Use deionized water, if available.
3. Run ultrasonic cleaner for several minutes to degas the solution and obtain correct temperature.
4. Place instruments in open position into the ultrasonic cleaner. Do not allow instruments with sharp blades to touch other instruments. All instruments must be fully submerged.
5. Do not place dissimilar metals (stainless, copper, chrome plated, etc.) in the same cleaning cycle.
6. Instruments should be processed in cleaner for 5-10 minutes.
7. Rinse instruments with water to remove ultrasonic cleaning solution and any remaining soils.
8. Dry instruments thoroughly with a clean towel. This minimizes the risk of corrosion and formation of water spots.
9. Use spray lubricant in the hinges to improve function of instrument.

Soaking
Large, non-delicate instruments can be soaked in a corrosion inhibiting detergent when other cleaning methods are not practical. Rinsing and drying after soaking is recommended.

STERILIZING
Autoclaving
1. Lubricate all instruments that have any metal-to-metal action such as scissors, hemostats, needle holders, self-retaining retractors, etc. Surgical instrument lubricants should be used. NOTE: Do not use WD-40, oil or other industrial lubricants.
2. Instruments may be autoclaved individually or in sets.
 Individual instruments—Disposable paper or plastic pouches are ideal. Use a wide enough pouch (4” or wider) for instruments with ratchet locks (such as needle holders and hemostats) so the instrument can be sterilized in an open (unlocked) position.
 Instrument Sets—unlock all instruments and sterilize them in an open position. Place heavy instruments on bottom of set (when two layers are required).

3. Never lock an instrument during autoclaving. This will prevent the steam from reaching and sterilizing the metal-to-metal surfaces. Furthermore, heat expansion during autoclaving can cause cracks in hinge areas.
4. Do not overload the autoclave chamber, as this may also hinder steam penetration.
5. Place a towel on bottom of pan to absorb excess moisture during autoclaving.
6. At the end of the autoclave cycle (before the drying cycle) unlock autoclave door and open it no more than a crack (about 3/4”). Run dry cycle for the period recommended by the autoclave manufacturer. If the autoclave door is opened fully before the drying cycle, cold room air will rush into the chamber, causing condensation on the instruments. This will result in water stains on instruments and cause wet packs.

Cold Sterilization
Most cold sterilization solutions require a 10-hour immersion to render instruments sterile, but this prolonged chemical action may be more detrimental to surgical instruments than the 20-minute autoclave cycle. If the instruments need only to be disinfected (clean), cold sterilization is acceptable since disinfection will take place in only 10 minutes. However, to render the instruments sterile (with absolutely no living organism surviving), autoclaving is recommended. For instruments with tungsten carbide inserts (needle holders, scissors, tissue forceps), do not use solutions containing benzyl ammonium chloride, which will destroy the tungsten carbide inserts

STORAGE
Instruments should be stored in a clean and dry environment until use.

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