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A Guide for the Maintenance and Care of Stainless Steel Surgical Instruments
- Do not mix stainless steel instruments with chrome plated instruments during sterilization. This can cause staining and discoloration on the stainless steel.
- Always clean brand-new instruments prior to first sterilization.
- Strictly adhere to dosage, exposure time and temperature specification provided for disinfecting and cleaning.
- Instruments have to be cleaned immediately after use. Never use steel brush or abrasives on stainless steel instruments.
- Always open hinged and box lock instruments to a 90° angle to prior to cleaning.
- Completely disassemble any instruments before cleaning that can be disassembled. Use an active cleaning disinfectant. Rinse the instruments thoroughly with clear, flowing water before machine cleaning and disinfection.
- Do not toss instruments improperly, to avoid damage or distortion.
- Be sure to use recommended cleaning tools and accessories,
- For cleaning / disinfection agents, consider using concentrated solutions, temperature and effective time given by FSI.
- Never use metal brushes of metal sponges for manual cleaning.
- Rinse blood and saline solutions from instruments completely and carefully after cleaning. If possible, use demineralized water.
- Dry completely after washing and rinsing in suitable hot air cabinet. Instruments with moving parts should be lubricated after drying. Avoid oils that may mask bacteria during autoclaving.
- Worn, corroded, deformed, porous or otherwise damaged instruments must be stored out and discarded.
- Hinged/Jointed instruments must be treated with a paraffin water-based lubricant (not applicable to flexible endoscopes and accessories).
- Following assembly, each instrument should be subjected to a functional test. Hinged instruments must be lubricated prior to carrying out the test.
After each use
- For machine cleaning, place instruments in a wire basket suitable for the cleaning process (make sure cleaning solution and rinse water from machine comes into contact with all parts off instruments).
- Clean contaminated instruments as quickly as possible.
- If necessary, treat that ultrasound according to the manufacturer’s instructions for effective mechanical support during manual cleaning. Pre-treatment of instruments with dried-on grime before machine cleaning.
- Micro-surgical instruments and instruments with fine working ends should not be treated with ultrasound. They should be cleaned either manually or in the washing machine. In case of cleaning in machine please use a suitable storage rack.
- Clean manually or in a machine. Follow manufacturer’s instruction.
Machine Cleaning/Disinfection
- Select the program according to the material (e.g. stainless steel instruments aluminum) of the instruments to be cleaned. Follow the machine manufacturer’s instructions.
- Final rinsing to be done with de-ionized water.
- Leave sufficient time for drying.
- Remove the instruments from machine immediately after program is done.
Care / Testing
- Let instruments cool down to room temperature.
- Lubricate movable parts (e.g. joints and ends) slightly with special sterilization capable, vapor-permeable lubricant.
Sterilization
- Stream sterilization must be carried out according to a validated stream sterilization process (e.g. with a sterilizer meeting the specifications of EN 285 and Validate according to EN 554). When using the fractional vacuum method, use the 134°C/2-bar program for sterilization with a minimum hold time of 5 minute.
- Do not use a sourcing or metal brush.
- Clean any lumens and conduits with soft, round, synthetic brushes. Please note, the lumen and the brush must have the same diameter.
- Final rinsing to be done with distilled or de-ionized water.
- Dry each instruments with an absorbent, soft and lint-free cloth.
- Dry lumens and conduits with compressed air.
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