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| Instruments Care |
Concerning the 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:
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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 him 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 must
in 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 solution 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.
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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 the instruments (crack the clave to allow drying before opening fully). |
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| 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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