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.
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