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Marking
Surgical Residues
Blood, pus, and other secretions contain chloride ions which lead to instrument
corrosion most often appearing as dark spots. If blood is left on the instruments for any
period of time (20 minutes or longer), the instrument will mark and stain, especially if
these residues are allowed to dry. Therefore, always clean and dry every instrument
thoroughly after use. Only sterilize a clean instrument. The most damaging procedure is
to allow dried-on debris to become baked-on stains in the autoclave. The temperature of
the autoclave (250-270) will cause chemical reactions that can make the stain
permanent and cause instrument corrosion. Remember, an autoclave does not clean; it
will only sterilize.
Tap Water
Even tap water can stain an instrument. Tap water contains a high concentration of
minerals which can contain chlorine which can be seen as a fine deposit (water spots)
on the instrument surface. Rinsing with distilled water eliminates such deposits. Water
with high mineral counts left to sit on an instrument can cause severe stains. Therefore,
it is important to towel dry your instruments immediately and thoroughly, and never
allow air-drying.
Cleansers
The cleansers and cleaning agents you use could also be a cause of instrument
corrosion. Strong substances, as well as those containing a chemical make-up of acid
or alkaline-based solutions can lead to pitting and staining. Wash instruments with a
neutral pH soap (between 7pH - 8pH) that is designed for surgical instruments for
optimal results. Anything with a higher pH may damage the instrument. Do not use dish
soap, iodine, bleach, cold-soak solution, chlorhexidine-based solutions , laundry soap or
surgeons hand scrub. These products will cause spotting and instrument corrosion.
Using an instrument cleaning brush is recommended , especially for jaw serrations,
teeth and hinged areas.
Only use approved solutions for washing, disinfecting and lubricating. Non-approved
solutions are any that do not specifically state on the label: "for surgical instruments".
Approved solutions are specially designed for surgical instruments and the sterilization
cycle. Their product labels will state this use.
TIP: If more time is needed, keep post-op instruments moist so that blood, tissue and
other debris does not dry on the instruments. The best way to keep your instruments
moist is to place a wet towel over the instruments, or use our Spectra-Moist. This
wetting-agent keeps blood from drying for hours.
Cold Sterilization
Cold sterilization is not a recommended method for disinfecting surgical instruments.
Why not?
When you use cold sterilization, or anytime you immerse instruments for long periods of
time in any solution, it can prove damaging.
In fact, you should never leave instruments in any solution for longer than 20 minutes.
Do not immerse instruments with tungsten carbide inserts (needle holders with gold
handles) in solutions containing Benzyl Ammonium Chloride (BAC). This chemical is
known to loosen the tungsten carbide.
What's a better alternative to using cold sterilization? Learn the proper procedure for
cleaning surgical instruments through instrument disinfection.
You can also read more about cleaning surgical instruments in the excerpt "Enemies of
Surgical Instruments" from Spectrum Surgical Instruments Corp CEO Rick Schultz's
new book, Inspecting Surgical Instruments, An Illustrated Guide.
Spectrum Surgical offers surgical instrument sharpening and restoration services for a
variety of medical instruments from surgical scissors and osteotomes to kerrison
rongeurs and clipper blades*.
Please follow the instructions below for sending your surgical instruments in for
sharpening services:
1. Simply package instruments securely
2. Include all contact information inside the package
3. Ship to the following address:
Spectrum Surgical Instruments Corp.
Attention: Repair Facility
4575 Hudson Drive
Stow, OH 44224-1725
*In order to prevent damage when shipping surgical clipper blades, wrap each blade in
newspaper, bubble wrap or paper towels. Send your clipper motor with blades
whenever possible. Do not send in blades with broken or missing teeth.
Recommended:
Acid-base etching can be performed by Spectrum or you may purchase an etching
machine kit (Order #256AS available from Spectrum) to perform your own marking.
Scissors
Needle Holders
Bone Cutters
Hemostats
Osteotomes
Rongeurs
Chisels
Bone Curettes
Knives
Punches
Surgical Scissors
Bone Cutters
Osteotomes
Rongeurs
Chisels
Bone Curettes
Knives
Punches
Steam Autoclave
Most hospitals and practices use the Steam Autoclave for sterilizing instruments. If this
is your method, there are a few important points to remember. First, only use distilled
water for filling your sterilizer reservoir. Tap water contains minerals which will cause
staining of the instrument. Secondly, if your autoclave has a steam line filter, clean it
regularly using the manufacturer's recommendations as a minimum guide. Clean the
inside chamber walls once a week. This will help prevent build-up of scale and will allow
the sterilizer to operate more efficiently.
To clean the inside chamber, follow these steps:
TIP: Before autoclaving, lubricate all instruments that have moving parts. Use surgical
lubricants rather than industrial oils, as they are superior for surgical instruments.
Ultrasonic Cleaning
A method of cleaning that is a necessity is ultrasonic cleaning. This method is the most
efficient and effective available today. In fact, ultrasonic cleaning is 16 times more
efficient that manual cleaning alone. Place instruments in the ultrasonic unit for 10-15
minutes and use a neutral pH ultrasonic solution.
Here are a few tips for ultrasonic cleaning:
Before placing into the ultrasonic unit, clean instruments of all visible debris by
hand-washing them in a neutral pH soap.
Before placing instruments into the ultrasonic unit, turn on the ultrasonic machine
and let it run for 10 minutes to de-gas the solution. This process removes any
gas or air bubbles in the solution.
The cleaner the instruments go into the ultrasonic cleaner, the cleaner they will
come out.
As with all types of cleaning, open all instruments so ratchets and box locks are
fully exposed to the cleaning process.
Make sure instruments have plenty of room. Don't overload your ultrasonic
cleaner.
Don't mix dissimilar metals (such as aluminum and stainless) in the same cycle
to prevent cross-plating.
Upon completion of the cycle, remove instruments immediately and rinse them.
Dry instruments thoroughly with a towel, ensuring that no moisture is left on the
instruments.
Use distilled water or tap water with a neutral pH ultrasonic solution to properly fill the
tank of your ultrasonic cleaner. Never use a manual soap in the ultrasonic cleaner and
always follow proper dilution. A neutral pH ultrasonic cleaning solution, when properly
mixed, effectively reduces the surface tension of the solution and increases the
ultrasonic calibration process. The solution should be changed at least daily or sooner if
the solution appears dirty or murky. Only plug an ultrasonic machine into a GFI outlet.
TIP: A heated tank does not significantly improve cleaning. Generally speaking,
there is no measurable improvement in cleaning when heat is applied to the
solution.
For more surgical instrument information, please call a customer care representative at
800-444-5644 orcontact us via email.
For more surgical instrument information, please call a customer care representative at
800-444-5644 orcontact us via email.
For more surgical instrument information, please call a customer care representative at
800-444-5644 orcontact us via email.
For more surgical instrument information, please call a customer care representative at
800-444-5644 orcontact us via email.
Spectrum can also repair any of your surgical instruments, including the flexible scope.
Learn more by visiting: flexible scope repair.
For more surgical instrument information, please call a customer care representative at
800-444-5644 orcontact us via email.
For more surgical instrument information, please call a customer care representative at
800-444-5644 orcontact us via emai