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. |
|
|
|
Latest News |
|
|
|