Sterilization of surgical instruments

Surgical instruments are made of durable steel that cannot be deformed and corroded over time. The types of tools are not divided into categories:

• Gynecological.
• Neurosurgical.
• Ophthalmologic.
• Otorhinolaryngological.
• Pathoanatomical.
• Traumatic.
• Resuscitation.
• Microsurgical.
• Dental.
• Transportlogistic.
• Urological.

By design, surgical instruments can be manual and mechanized. And the functionality is divided: stabbing, pushing, expanding, cutting, clamping, probing and buzhiruyuschie.

Surgical instruments are made of tool carbon steel coated with chromium or Nickel, stainless steel, titanium and brass.

Sterilization of instruments

Using special medical equipment, sterilization of surgical instruments is carried out. The process takes several steps:

1. Presterilization. The tool is cleaned mechanically, it removes all dirt, removes pyrogenic substances, hepatitis virus is destroyed. In fact, this stage consists of disinfection, washing, drying and disinfection. Pre-use tools are immersed in a container of liquid disinfectant (chloramine, hydrogen peroxide, analit, polices, intracept, denavit). Depending on the chosen disinfectant liquid, the process can take from 30 to 60 minutes.
2. After that, the tool is washed using a special solution, which includes water, peroxide and detergent. The solution is heated to 60 degrees and put into it devices for 20 minutes, then thoroughly washed with brushes and washed in running water.
3. After all the manipulations, the tools are dried in a natural way or put in a dry oven for half an hour, setting the temperature to 80 degrees. After cleaning the tool, it is carefully checked for damage and deformation, as well as the remains of dirt. Check for remains of dirt is carried out using asupernova samples, for which in equal parts are mixed the hydrogen peroxide and aspirat. In contact with the solution on the tools it changes color:
4. If blood is detected, the solution becomes purple, gradually turning into a lilac-pink hue.
5. When the remains of detergent or rust – colored in brown.

The tools, which were discovered contamination, refer again to presterilization. Other devices are sent for sterilization, the type of which depends on the type of tool. 

The main rule for sterilization is the complete destruction of pathogenic microorganisms, as well as the prevention of damage to the tool.

During the procedure, surgical instruments are divided into groups: 

• Metal.
• Rubber.
• Plastic.
• Optical.

For sterilization of metal tools used sterilizers dry air or autoclave. Disinfection is carried out under the influence of high temperatures for a long time.

For metal cutting tools can be used chemical sterilization using antiseptic solutions or gas treatment, as under high temperature devices can be blunted and quickly become unusable.

Plastic and rubber tools, including gloves, are sent to the autoclave. Probes and catheters for radiation treatment, but most often they are used once.

Optical instruments used in the operating room are very expensive and complex devices, so they are treated very carefully when processing. The best way to clean them is gas treatment or cold sterilization method, using antiseptics of chemical origin (chlorhexine, formalin, chloramine and ethyl alcohol).

Depending on the type of sterilization is carried out preparation of tools. During the processing of devices in a tendon Cabinet, they are placed in sterilization boxes or laid out in one layer on a metal grid. Be sure the syringes are wrapped in brown paper.

When sterilizing in an autoclave, the devices are wrapped in a cloth and placed in metal boxes. Syringes be sure to disassemble the cylinders and pistons and after wrapping the cloth settle in Bix. Rubber gloves before processing pour talc inside and outside to prevent them from sticking together, put in pairs and put in Bix.

During sterilization clearly adhere to the temperature regime. After processing, all tools are stored in a specially equipped room for 48 hours in special Bix. If during this time the devices were not used or Bix was opened, they are sent for re-sterilization.

For fast processing of tools in many medical institutions, electric immersion heaters are used, which are compact in size, but contain a sufficient number of devices. When using this equipment, be sure to ground it.