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The Surgical Instrument Sterilization Process: What Every Surgeon Should Know
Vaughn Land1, Samuel Dickerson2, Ashton Goldman1
1Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Portsmouth, Virginia.
JBJS Reviews
|November 28, 2023
Summary
Proper surgical instrument reprocessing involves cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization. Adhering to guidelines minimizes contamination risks, with immediate use steam sterilization being a safe option when surgeon-approved.
Area of Science:
- Medical device reprocessing
- Surgical safety protocols
- Infection control in healthcare
Background:
- Surgical equipment requires meticulous reprocessing to prevent surgical site infections.
- Standard reprocessing includes cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization phases.
- Adherence to established guidelines is crucial for effective decontamination.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the critical phases of surgical equipment sterilization.
- To emphasize the importance of manufacturer and regulatory guidelines.
- To evaluate the safety and appropriate use of immediate use steam sterilization.
Main Methods:
- Review of standard sterilization processes.
- Analysis of manufacturer and regulatory guidelines for reprocessing.
- Assessment of immediate use steam sterilization protocols and applications.
Main Results:
- The sterilization process comprises distinct phases: cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization.
- Following guidelines significantly reduces contamination risks.
- Immediate use steam sterilization is deemed safe when used judiciously by surgeons.
Conclusions:
- Effective sterilization of surgical instruments is a multi-step process.
- Strict adherence to guidelines is paramount for patient safety.
- Surgeon discretion supports the appropriate use of immediate use steam sterilization.
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