Surgical Instruments are engineered to perform specific functions. Achieving hemostasis by clamping, sharp, and dull dissection, grasing of tissue, or implants, probing, suctioning, or suturing are examples of specific functions. Individual patterns should be used only for the maneuvers they were designed to perform, by or under the supervision of a qualified surgeon.

Instruments should not be used for any purpose or maneuver other than what is their intended use.

Invotec International provides surgical instruments as unsterile. All surgical instruments must be cleaned prior to sterilization and preparation (lubrication) for use. Upon receipt of a new instrument and after every cleaning, especially in an ultrsonic cleaner, all joints and screws should be checked, tightened, and lubricated. Failure to follow a cleaning and inspection protocol could lead to damage and failure of the instrument.

A.A.M.I Standards and Recommended Practice, Safe Handling and Biological Decontamination of Medical Devices in Heath Care Facilities and in Non-Clinical Settings, ANSI/AAMI ST35:2003, keeping in mind this process is in two steps: 1. Complete cleaning and 2. Washing and Sterilization.

During a surgical procedure, the scrub nurse should wipe accumulated blood from all instruments surfaces, especially jaw serrations, joints and box locks. Following the procedure, it is important to rinse used surgical instruments, before they dry, with sterile water as blood and salt solutions are very corrosive.

Biofilm is now a consideration in the management and cleaning of surgical instruments. This accumulation of biomass, by bacteria and fluid, colonizes the surface area of dried instruments. Biofilms are difficult to remove and decontaminate, especially within the extended lumens of suction tips, trocars, and irrigation channels.

If using a pressure instrument washing machine, please take care in following the manufacturer’s loading and stacking recommendations. A key ingrediant to proper cleaning and maintance of surgical instruments is the use of a pH neutral soap or detergent. Acid or base solutions can break down the oxide protective surface of passivated stailess steel and lead to pitting, staining, or rust.
When Hand washing instruments, particular attention should be given to lumens, box locks and srew joints. A selection of soft brushes is needed to throughly clean instruments.

Should ultrasonic cleaning be used, make sure to follow manufacturer’s settings and recommnedations. All forceps and hand instruments with box locks and hinges should be placed into the UC basket, “open”, to allow the action to clean tight spaces and grooves.

The waters used for this treatment must not be saline mixed or tap water. Rather, use softened or deionized water as this solution will remove elements that will spot or pit instrument surfaces.

Instruments free of soil still need to be decontaminated to handling and inspection. If steam sterilized do not wrap the instruments.

Prior to drying the instruments, inspect for wear, damage, cracks, or rust. Lubricating the instruments by soaking in instrument milk will extend the life of moving parts, box locks, and hinges along with laying down a protective surface.

Should steam sterilization be used, please reference: AAMI Standards and Recommended Practices, “Steam Sterilization and Sterility Assurane in Health Care Facilities”, ANSI/AAMI ST46:2002; also Flash Sterilization Steam Sterilization of Patient care Items for Immediate Use, ANSI/AAMI ST37:3eed.