INSTRUMENTS CARE
Concerning your question on
why staining, pitting or
rusting can develop in
stainless steel Instruments;
there are some basic points
for the care and handling of
surgical instruments which
will extend the life of the
instrument, eliminate
staining or corrosion and
lower the cost in use.
These are as follows: -
1. Instruments should be
rinsed as soon as possible
after use to remove blood,
serum and saline. Do not use
a sponge basin as any
residue from normal saline
solution can cause corrosion
to develop over a period of
time.
2. Instruments should be
thoroughly dried after
cleaning and before wrapping
or storing, as moisture left
in the box lock or
serrations can cause rust or
corrosion to develop.
3. Do not leave instruments
in a cold sterilization soak
solution for extended
periods as these solutions
tend to be corrosive, after
cold sterilization, rinse
the instruments in distilled
or demineralized water and
dry thoroughly).
4. If using cold
sterilization technique,
change the solution
according to directions as
prolonged use will cause the
solution to become
corrosive.
5. Do not use caustic
cleaners or any other
cleaner except those
specified for cleaning
surgical instruments.
6. Do not clean instruments
with steel wool or scouring
powder, or use PH
detergents. If cleaning by
hand, use a specific
instrument cleaner or a
natural detergent soap and a
soft brush (rinse with
demineralized or distilled
water).
7. Check your autoclave.
Iron, sodium, calcium,
magnesium or copper in your
water can cause spotting,
staining or corrosion to
occur. In hard water areas,
clean the line deposits from
your autoclave, install a
steam filter if possible. It
will remove most of dirt,
rust and pipe scale.
8. Make sure your wraps are
rinsed sufficiently ( 6 to 8
times ) by the laundry to
remove all chlorine bleach
as any residue can cause
staining or corrosion during
autoclaving.
9. Do not leave instruments
in the following solutions
for extended periods as
corrosion can result: -
a) Aluminum, Barium,
Calcium, Ferrous or stannous
chloride solutions.
b) Phenol, Lysol or Lodine.
c) Dakin's Solution or
Zephirin.
d) Any acid, Mercury or
potassium solution.
10. Do not sterilize
stainless steel instruments
with chrome plated
instruments if possible, as
any break in the surface of
the chrome plate will allow
an electrolytic action
develop between the
dissimilar metals, causing
pitting and/or a rusty
appearance to develop.
11. Preheat instruments in
autoclave before allowing
steam to enter, if possible,
to prevent an excessive
amount of condensation
forming on the surface of
the instruments.
12. Don't open the autoclave
too quickly after the
sterilization cycles as
excessive condensation will
develop on the surface of
the instruments (crack the
clave to allow drying before
opening fully).
If you follow the above
rules and use instrument
cleaners and lubricant milk,
your instruments should
remain rust, spot and stain
free.
I hope this will answer any
questions you might have on
this topic. |