How to Wash Surgical Instruments

Properly washing surgical instruments decreases the risk of transferring infectious agents from patients to the surgical team and other patients. Routine washing will also ensure that instruments function properly by preventing rust and deterioration. Professionals use several methods for washing surgical instruments, including hand and ultrasonic cleaning. Hand washing allows close attention to be payed to hard-to-reach areas, such as between hinges. Ultrasonic washing, preferred for its simplicity, washes instruments by using ultrasound waves in a cleaner filled with a detergent.

Things You'll Need

• Chlorine solution
• Detergent with pH level of 7
• Plastic scrubbing brush
• Clean towel
• Ultrasonic machine and detergent
• Sterilized tongs
• Drying tray

Show More

Instructions

Hand Washing

• 1

  Rinse surgical instruments with warm water right after a procedure, to remove blood and tissues. To decontaminate instruments, soak them in a chlorine solution for 10 minutes.

• 2

  Submerge instruments in warm water containing a detergent with a neutral pH level. A low pH level would deteriorate protective surfaces, and a high level would leave a brown stain that would affect an instrument's function, according to the Roboz website.

• 3

  Use a plastic brush made from nylon to scrub surgical instruments underwater, to avoid splashing infectious water into your eyes and mouth or countertops, the Johns Hopkins University website advises.

• 4

  Rinse instruments after scrubbing them clean under running water until they are free of detergent. Hinged instruments such as surgical scissors should be opened to rinse out all areas.

• 5

  Dry instruments with a sterile towel or by air. Store instruments in a dry and sanitary space.

Ultrasonic Washing

• 6

  Rinse instruments after surgery, under warm water to remove blood and tissues.

• 7

  Separate instruments by the metals they are made from. Do not wash unlike metal instruments in the same cycle.

• 8

  Open the ultrasonic machine and add the manufacturer's recommended amount of neutral pH level detergent.

• 9

  Open all instruments such as scissors and forceps, and place them in the detergent until they are completely submerged.

• 10

  Run the ultrasonic machine on the recommended setting for between 5 and 10 minutes.

• 11

  Remove instruments from the ultrasonic machine with sterile tongs after the cycle is complete, and rinse them under warm water to remove the detergent. Allow instruments to air-dry on a tray in a clean environment.