Proper cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, and storage are essential for maintaining reusable surgical instruments.
1. General Safety
Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and your facility's approved procedures when handling and reprocessing surgical instruments.
Wear appropriate:
- Protective clothing
- Gloves
- Eye protection
Handle delicate tips, jaws, blades, and other working parts carefully to avoid damage.
2. Cleaning
Remove blood, tissue, and other debris as soon as possible after use.
- Use suitable, non-abrasive cleaning materials.
- Prefer neutral-pH detergents where appropriate.
- Avoid abrasive cleaners and materials that can scratch the instrument.
- Pay special attention to joints, jaws, serrations, ratchets, and channels.
- Disassemble instruments when required for proper cleaning.
- Rinse instruments thoroughly with suitable water.
- Do not allow blood or debris to dry on the instrument.
3. Materials & Instrument Separation
Instruments made from different materials may require different processing methods.
- Process different materials separately when required.
- Follow the specific manufacturer's instructions for each instrument.
- Keep ebonized or specially coated instruments separate when necessary to prevent scratching or coating damage.
4. Manual Cleaning
When manual cleaning is required:
- Use an appropriate soft-bristle brush.
- Clean all surfaces carefully.
- Pay particular attention to joints, serrations, teeth, ratchets, and box locks.
- Flush channels and lumens using appropriate cleaning equipment.
- Rinse thoroughly after cleaning.
- Dry the instruments completely.
Avoid steel wool, wire brushes, abrasive pads, and metal scrapers.
5. Automated Cleaning
When using a washer-disinfector:
- Use an approved system suitable for surgical instruments.
- Follow the equipment manufacturer's recommended detergent concentration and cycle.
- Do not overload the basket.
- Keep hinged instruments open.
- Place delicate instruments where they will not be damaged by heavier instruments.
- Ensure channels and lumens are properly cleaned.
6. Inspection After Cleaning
After cleaning, visually inspect every instrument.
Check for:
- Remaining blood or debris
- Corrosion
- Staining or discoloration
- Cracks or fractures
- Bent or misaligned parts
- Damaged tips or blades
- Worn jaws or ratchets
Do not use an instrument that is damaged, corroded, cracked, or not functioning properly.
7. Drying & Lubrication
Instruments must be completely dry before sterilization.
Where required, use an appropriate water-soluble, non-silicone instrument lubricant on moving parts to maintain smooth operation.
8. Disinfection
After cleaning, disinfect instruments using a disinfectant that is compatible with the instrument material and approved for the intended use.
Always follow the disinfectant manufacturer's instructions for:
- Concentration
- Contact time
- Temperature
- Rinsing requirements
9. Sterilization
For reusable surgical instruments, steam sterilization/autoclaving is commonly used when compatible with the instrument and facility's validated process.
Always follow:
- The instrument manufacturer's IFU
- The sterilizer manufacturer's instructions
- Your facility's validated sterilization procedure
- Applicable local regulations
Never sterilize an instrument that has not been properly cleaned and prepared.
Sterilization parameters can vary depending on the instrument, packaging, sterilizer, load, and validated cycle. Therefore, do not rely on one universal temperature or exposure time for every instrument.
10. Packaging & Storage
Before sterilization:
- Properly prepare and package instruments according to facility procedures.
- Keep hinged instruments in the appropriate open/unlocked position when required.
- Use approved sterilization packaging.
After sterilization:
- Allow instruments and packages to dry completely.
- Store them in a clean, dry environment.
- Protect sterile packages from damage and recontamination.
Important Note
Reprocessing requirements can vary depending on the instrument design, material, sterilization equipment, and local healthcare facility procedures.
Always follow the specific K.T. Surgico IFU and the instructions provided by the sterilization equipment and cleaning-product manufacturers.
If you need the complete K.T. Surgico IFU or have questions about the reprocessing of a specific instrument, please contact our team.
