Surgical Instrument Care Flashcards
What can spotting, staining and corrosion do
Impaired function of surgical instruments, interfere with sterilization, shortening instrument life
Why is proper surgical instrument care important
Patient safety, longevity of instruments
How does spotting staining and corrosion impair function of surgical instruments
Rust in box lock area impair opening of instruments. Rusted scissor blades become doll
How can spotting staining and corrosion interfere with sterilization
Spores are protected from distruction by layers of iron oxide
Describe characteristics of spots on surgical instruments
Loose or semi adherent deposits on instruments surface. Usually wiped off with a cloth with minimal friction. Don’t physically or chemically effect instruments if they are removed
What can cause spots on surgical instruments
Mineral water deposits, chemical residues, steam residue, poor soil removal
Give some general characteristics of stains on surgical instruments
Tightly adhered deposits on instrument surface, can be an integral part of the surface, don’t physically or chemically effect instruments if they removed
What can cause stains on surgical instruments
Replating of metals, impure steam
What are surgical residues and what do they cause
Blood, tissue, pus. Contain chloride ions that cause corrosion. Primary cause of pitting, staining and discoloration of surgical instruments
How do you resolve surgical residues
Clean and dry instruments immediately after surgery, open hinged instruments
What can cause corrosion
Tapwater, harsh cleaners, residual detergent on surgery drapes
How can you test for rust
Taking an eraser and if there’s a pit mark under the stain then it is rust
What does an orange brown stain usually mean
Phosphate deposit. Caused by autoclave water, dirty autoclave, bleach, surgical wrappings
What does a dark brown stain mean
Caused by dry blood missed at cleaning stage, acidic solutions
What is a bluish black stains caused by
Plating which is contact between dissimilar metals
