| Point of use treatment: step-by-step guide . | |
|---|---|
| Reusable instruments . | |
| Step . | Methods . |
| 1. Don appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) based on risk of exposure | Required level of PPE will vary between procedural areas (e.g., operating room, dermatology clinic)2,21,33 |
| 2. Remove gross debris as soon as possible after use and at the end of the case | Use low-lint sponges moistened with sterile water; do not use saline as this will cause instrument corrosion Dried blood, body fluids, and non-organic materials on instrument surfaces impedes decontamination and depletes instrument lifecycle1–4,6,8,12,21 |
| 3. Flush cannulated instruments continuously | Throughout procedure, irrigate with sterile water to prevent/remove residue buildup1,2,6,8,21 |
| 4. Consider all opened instruments to be contaminated | Treat all opened instruments, whether used or unused as contaminated due to risk of exposure to biohazardous materials2,6,8 |
| 5. Disassemble all instruments according to manufacturer instructions for use (IFU) (if applicable) and place in the tray/pan with jaws/hinges in the open position | Place instruments in original pan/tray to minimize instrument damage/displacement; pretreatment (e.g., enzymatic) must contact all instrument surfaces when disassembled and placed in the open position1,2,6,8 |
| 6. Segregate reusable sharp instruments and properly discard disposable sharps | Handling of sharps and contaminated devices must be in a manner that reduces risk of staff harm and potential exposure1,2,4,6,8,21 |
| 7. Tag damaged/broken instruments (if applicable) | Communicate damaged equipment to Sterile Processing personnel so it can be decontaminated and sent for repairs2,6,8,21 |
| 8. Place instruments in transport container | The Occupational Health and Safety Administration-approved transport container must be: leakproof on sides and bottom, puncture-resistant, closeable, and identified as biohazardous1–3,6,8,21 |
| 9. Prior to transport, keep instruments moist | Place a towel moistened with water (not saline) or apply a hospital-approved pretreatment (e.g., enzymatic detergent)1–4,6,8,21 |
| Point of use treatment: step-by-step guide . | |
|---|---|
| Reusable instruments . | |
| Step . | Methods . |
| 1. Don appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) based on risk of exposure | Required level of PPE will vary between procedural areas (e.g., operating room, dermatology clinic)2,21,33 |
| 2. Remove gross debris as soon as possible after use and at the end of the case | Use low-lint sponges moistened with sterile water; do not use saline as this will cause instrument corrosion Dried blood, body fluids, and non-organic materials on instrument surfaces impedes decontamination and depletes instrument lifecycle1–4,6,8,12,21 |
| 3. Flush cannulated instruments continuously | Throughout procedure, irrigate with sterile water to prevent/remove residue buildup1,2,6,8,21 |
| 4. Consider all opened instruments to be contaminated | Treat all opened instruments, whether used or unused as contaminated due to risk of exposure to biohazardous materials2,6,8 |
| 5. Disassemble all instruments according to manufacturer instructions for use (IFU) (if applicable) and place in the tray/pan with jaws/hinges in the open position | Place instruments in original pan/tray to minimize instrument damage/displacement; pretreatment (e.g., enzymatic) must contact all instrument surfaces when disassembled and placed in the open position1,2,6,8 |
| 6. Segregate reusable sharp instruments and properly discard disposable sharps | Handling of sharps and contaminated devices must be in a manner that reduces risk of staff harm and potential exposure1,2,4,6,8,21 |
| 7. Tag damaged/broken instruments (if applicable) | Communicate damaged equipment to Sterile Processing personnel so it can be decontaminated and sent for repairs2,6,8,21 |
| 8. Place instruments in transport container | The Occupational Health and Safety Administration-approved transport container must be: leakproof on sides and bottom, puncture-resistant, closeable, and identified as biohazardous1–3,6,8,21 |
| 9. Prior to transport, keep instruments moist | Place a towel moistened with water (not saline) or apply a hospital-approved pretreatment (e.g., enzymatic detergent)1–4,6,8,21 |
| Point of use treatment: step-by-step guide . | |
|---|---|
| Reusable instruments . | |
| Step . | Methods . |
| 1. Don appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) based on risk of exposure | Required level of PPE will vary between procedural areas (e.g., operating room, dermatology clinic)2,21,33 |
| 2. Remove gross debris as soon as possible after use and at the end of the case | Use low-lint sponges moistened with sterile water; do not use saline as this will cause instrument corrosion Dried blood, body fluids, and non-organic materials on instrument surfaces impedes decontamination and depletes instrument lifecycle1–4,6,8,12,21 |
| 3. Flush cannulated instruments continuously | Throughout procedure, irrigate with sterile water to prevent/remove residue buildup1,2,6,8,21 |
| 4. Consider all opened instruments to be contaminated | Treat all opened instruments, whether used or unused as contaminated due to risk of exposure to biohazardous materials2,6,8 |
| 5. Disassemble all instruments according to manufacturer instructions for use (IFU) (if applicable) and place in the tray/pan with jaws/hinges in the open position | Place instruments in original pan/tray to minimize instrument damage/displacement; pretreatment (e.g., enzymatic) must contact all instrument surfaces when disassembled and placed in the open position1,2,6,8 |
| 6. Segregate reusable sharp instruments and properly discard disposable sharps | Handling of sharps and contaminated devices must be in a manner that reduces risk of staff harm and potential exposure1,2,4,6,8,21 |
| 7. Tag damaged/broken instruments (if applicable) | Communicate damaged equipment to Sterile Processing personnel so it can be decontaminated and sent for repairs2,6,8,21 |
| 8. Place instruments in transport container | The Occupational Health and Safety Administration-approved transport container must be: leakproof on sides and bottom, puncture-resistant, closeable, and identified as biohazardous1–3,6,8,21 |
| 9. Prior to transport, keep instruments moist | Place a towel moistened with water (not saline) or apply a hospital-approved pretreatment (e.g., enzymatic detergent)1–4,6,8,21 |
| Point of use treatment: step-by-step guide . | |
|---|---|
| Reusable instruments . | |
| Step . | Methods . |
| 1. Don appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) based on risk of exposure | Required level of PPE will vary between procedural areas (e.g., operating room, dermatology clinic)2,21,33 |
| 2. Remove gross debris as soon as possible after use and at the end of the case | Use low-lint sponges moistened with sterile water; do not use saline as this will cause instrument corrosion Dried blood, body fluids, and non-organic materials on instrument surfaces impedes decontamination and depletes instrument lifecycle1–4,6,8,12,21 |
| 3. Flush cannulated instruments continuously | Throughout procedure, irrigate with sterile water to prevent/remove residue buildup1,2,6,8,21 |
| 4. Consider all opened instruments to be contaminated | Treat all opened instruments, whether used or unused as contaminated due to risk of exposure to biohazardous materials2,6,8 |
| 5. Disassemble all instruments according to manufacturer instructions for use (IFU) (if applicable) and place in the tray/pan with jaws/hinges in the open position | Place instruments in original pan/tray to minimize instrument damage/displacement; pretreatment (e.g., enzymatic) must contact all instrument surfaces when disassembled and placed in the open position1,2,6,8 |
| 6. Segregate reusable sharp instruments and properly discard disposable sharps | Handling of sharps and contaminated devices must be in a manner that reduces risk of staff harm and potential exposure1,2,4,6,8,21 |
| 7. Tag damaged/broken instruments (if applicable) | Communicate damaged equipment to Sterile Processing personnel so it can be decontaminated and sent for repairs2,6,8,21 |
| 8. Place instruments in transport container | The Occupational Health and Safety Administration-approved transport container must be: leakproof on sides and bottom, puncture-resistant, closeable, and identified as biohazardous1–3,6,8,21 |
| 9. Prior to transport, keep instruments moist | Place a towel moistened with water (not saline) or apply a hospital-approved pretreatment (e.g., enzymatic detergent)1–4,6,8,21 |
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