Most manufacturers recommend ultrasonic cleaning as the best, most effective way of cleaning surgical instruments, particularly those with hinges, locks and other moving parts, However, if ultrasonic cleaning is not available, follow these steps:
- Use stiff cleaning brushes made of nylon or a similar material. Do not use steel wool or wire brushes, unless they are specially recommended stainless steel wire brushes for instruments such as bone files or on stained areas in knurled handles.
- Use only neutral pH (7) detergents and rinse properly after cleaning. Lower pH detergents break down the protective stainless surface of instruments and cause black staining. Higher pH detergents cause surface deposits of brown stain that may look like rust and will interfere with the smooth operation of the instrument.
- Brush delicate instruments very carefully. Try to handle them separately from general instruments.
- Examine instruments carefully to make sure all surfaces are visibly clean and free from stains and residue.
- Finally, rinse instruments thoroughly under running water – distilled is best. While rinsing, open and close scissors, hemostats, needle holders and other hinged instruments to make sure both inside and outside surfaces are completely rinsed out.
Routine Inspection
Cleaning is a good time to check instruments for proper functionality and overall condition.
Check for the following:
- Scissor blades should glide smoothly from open to closed positions. They shouldn’t be loose at all when closed. Test them by cutting them into a thin piece of gauze. Three-quarters of the length of the blade should cut easily straight to the scissor tips.
- Forceps should have aligned tips.
- Hemostats and needle holders should not allow any light to shine through between the jaws. They should lock and unlock easily, and the joints should not be loose. Check needle holders for signs of wear at the tips.
- Suction tubes should be clean inside and out.
- Retractors should open, close, and lock properly.
- All cutting edge blades should be sharp and smooth.