Care Of Stainless Steel Instruments

By:Mr. M. Shivanandha Reddy

Stainless steel articles are suitable for almost all the purposes because they can be easily cleaned, heat resistant and unbreakable.

• The most common instruments include:1. Forceps- artery, thumb, sponge holding, cheatle

forceps2. Different needles- IM, IV, SC, liver biopsy needle3. Different scopes- laryngoscope, proctoscope4. Sharp instruments- surgical blades, scissors5. Misccellaneous- spatulas, tongue depressor,

tracheostomy tubes, mouth gag etc.

Principles Of Care Of Stainless Steel Instruments:

1. All stainless steel items are heat resistant, anticorrosive and long lasting but expensive. So should be handled carefully.

2. Don’t boil stainless steel items repeatedly as they become dull

3. They can be sterilized using chemicals and autoclaving

4. Always use gloves while cleaning soiled instruments5. Dry the instruments properly before storing as the

left water cause markings

Care of sharp instruments:• The knifes and scissors are the most commonly

used sharp instruments.• Share instruments are dulled by rough usage,

exposing to high temperature and moisture.• Sharp instruments are sterilized by hot air sterilizer

exposing into a temperature of 160 c for an hour.• Chemical disinfections can be done by submerging

them fully under pure dettol or other disinfectants.

Steps for cleaning sharp instruments:

• Immediately after the use wash the instruments under cold running water.

• Immerse in 0.5% chlorine solution or 2% glutaraldehyde solution for 20-30 minutes

• Remove from disinfectant solution, rinse in sterilre water stream, wipe it dry using a sterile cloth

• Store in appropriate container

Care of needles:• Decontaminate all types of needles attached to

syringe and flushed with 0.5 % chlorine / chlor-hexidine or hypochlorite solution

• Destroy the needle still attached to syringe with the needle destructor and throw into the puncture proof container.

• Send the puncture proof container for incineration

• If the needles are reusable:• Separate cannula and stillet • Flush with disinfectant solution, wash with

soap water and rinse in running water.• Dry, pack and send needles for autoclaving

Liver biopsy needle

Care of other instruments:• Variety of instruments are used In OT.• Operation theatre instruments that are soiled

should be opened with an gloved hand and drop into a basin or bucket.

• Rinse the instruments thoroughly with cold water to remove the blood or other organic matter.

• Clean the instruments with sodium carbonate (2 %) and hot water

• All the instruments should be checked for cleanliness before sending for sterilization.

• Autoclaving is the best method of sterilization• If autoclave is not available then boiling can be

done

Care of glass ware:• Glass ware should be cleansed with a smooth

surface to avoid abrasions and erosion• It should be sterilized with dry heat• When the glass goods are sent for autoclaving or

boiling, should be adequately padded to prevent braking by rubbing with hard surfaces.

Care of glass syringes:• Syringes are expensive and common item of the

glass ware used in the hospital. • Rinsing immediately after use to prevent the

pistons sticking to the barrels, thus prolonging the life of syringes.

• Sterilization by hot air is the best method of sterilization of glass syringes.

• The important points to remember1) After use cold water is forced through the

needle with the syringes2) Again wash it with warm water3) If the needles are blocked wire stillest are

used to remove4) Needles are sterilized for 10 – 20 minutes.