Surgical Instruments – Know How To Care And Maintain Them

Healthcare needs are increasing day by day. Super specialty hospitals are coming up on a regular basis. However, an important thing that needs to be taken care of includes taking care of surgical instruments.  Unless you properly care for these instruments, infections might spread and patients can even lose their life. Thus, it will be better to know how you should care for the surgical instruments. 

Caring for brand new instruments

Yes, even brand new surgical care products and instruments need the required cleaning and caring. Before you use a brand new equipment, it should be cleaned and sterilized first. You should make sure that you properly remove the protective caps as well as the protective films from the instruments. Unless they are removed completely, you will not be able to use them. So, make sure that you remove the case of chisels as well as microsurgical instruments. 

Motor systems and hand-pieces – Cleaning, Disinfection and Sterilization

You should note here that motor systems as well as the hand-pieces require ample maintenance. They are known all over the world for their reliability. These instruments go through premature wear and malfunctions. These problems can be avoided if you follow the instructions that has been mentioned on the cover for maintenance of the instruments. In case you find that the devices require repair or maintenance in the long run, then you should get in touch with the manufacturer and they will help you with the process. Many a times, the local agents of these manufacturers will be able to help you repair these instruments. 

After use maintenance and cleaning

After using the surgical care products, cleaning and maintenance is very important. Here are some of the major steps that you need to take in order to keep your surgical care products in the best form:

• When you are machine cleaning the surgical care products, you need to place them in a wire basket. This is good for the entire cleaning process. You will have to make sure that the cleaning solution and water reaches every part of the machine.
• While cleaning your instruments, you should completely dismantle the instruments. This will help you in cleaning them in the best possible way.
• Whether you clean the instruments manually or through machine, make sure that you follow all the required instructions as mentioned on the packaging.
• If required, while cleaning, you can treat the surgical care products with Ultrasound. However, make sure that such a cleaning procedure is mentioned in the manufacture's instructions. 

Steam sterilization

Cleaning is not the end of the process. You will also have to sterilize the surgical care products. Steam sterilization is extremely important in this regard. However, you will have to follow the validated steam sterilization process. For example, while using the fractional vacuum method, you will have to use the 134°C/2-bar program for sterilization which should have a minimum hold time of at least 5 minutes.

Store your surgical care products in the best way

Storage of these instruments is very important or they can get damaged. You should place the instruments with the fine working end, microsurgery instruments, etc. in a suitable storage racks. You can secure the instruments with lock as well.

Hopefully, now you have a clear idea how to cleanse and maintain your surgical care products. Unless the instruments are safe, there always remains a chance of catching infection.