Surgical instruments must be well sterilized to guard the future health outcomes of such patients and other healthcare providers. That is, to ensure that the tools used in surgeries and other surgical operations are free from bacteria and all other microorganisms. Nonetheless, many healthcare facilities make mistakes when sterilizing their tools, and this hampers the quality of care being offered.
This blog explores common mistakes made during sterilization and provides practical solutions to address them.
Inadequate Pre-cleaning
Inadequate cleaning of surgical instruments before undergoing sterilization is very dangerous. Residual organic material on tools can hinder contact with sterilizers, compromising effectiveness and contamination potential. Also, left-over remains may cause harm to the instruments gradually.
The use of enzymatic cleaners to remove organic compounds in the surfaces whilst following it up with cleaning and rinsing cuts down all these risks. The following preventive measures must be followed strictly to ensure that maximum instruments are as clean and sterilized as possible.
Using Incorrect Sterilization Methods
Each device is sterilized according to specific guidelines depending on the type of material used and the design of each instrument. By not following such protocols, several areas might not be adequately sterilized, thus leaving notorious microorganisms intact.
However, autoclaving procedures not followed will cause dulling or damage to the instrument and equipment. Certain considerations need to be taken into consideration when sterilizing the instruments, and some of them include compliance with the instructions given by the manufacturer and choosing the right type of process to use and the right one to apply to the instruments.
Overloading the Sterilizer
Sterilizers must not be overloaded since this will inhibit air and heat circulation, which is important for sterilization. Anti-trembling can cause uneven sterilization, which is not desirable when dealing with sensitive items such as instruments.
Thus, to avoid these problems, it is necessary to adhere to the sterilizer capacity and organize the position of instruments in the sterilizer to improve the air circulation of the sterilizer. Daily checks are also required to observe any anomalies that may impact the sterilization efficiency of the sterilizer.
Incorrect Temperature and Pressure Settings
All the various techniques require sterilization conditions of temperature and pressure to eliminate microorganisms. Any variation from these parameters may result in inadequate sterilization to eliminate dangerous microorganisms.
Moreover, wrong settings lead to problems like instrument warping or becoming completely non-functional. To ensure that sterilization works correctly, there are reasons to check sterilizer settings before each procedure, constantly calibrate instruments, and ensure that all workers know how to operate sterilization equipment efficiently.
Ignoring Instrument Drying
Remaining water droplets on instruments after sterilization threaten sterility and high levels of bacterial contamination. Moisture is also a cause of increased corrosion and instrument destruction. To avoid these risks, it becomes highly relevant to dry the instruments after sterilization.
This might take some time and can be accomplished using drying mechanisms or air-drying racks. This means keeping dry instruments only on clean and dry surfaces, which is important to avoid contact with contaminants.
Improper Instrument Handling
Improper handling of sterilized instruments can, in one way or another defeat, be the main purpose of sterilization. This is because touching surfaces that are not sterile will only bring in other bacteria, making the sterilization a waste of effort. Cautious handling requires that they be transferred with sterile gloves and placed in separate sterile trays to ensure the instruments remain sterile.
Compliance with some guidelines without fail also plays an important role in ensuring that accidental contamination of the equipment is avoided and the methods of cleaning these instruments are correct.
Using Expired Sterilizing Agents
When they expire, sterilizing agents become ineffective in killing the dangerous forms of life and organisms . It may result in inadequate sterilization of tools, thus leaving bacteria on the instruments and posing a danger to the patient.
To minimize this risk, one should monitor the correctness of the dates when sterilizing agents have been packed to ensure that outdated packs are used immediately. Inventory control is required for usage and expiration dates to avoid the wastage of expired sterilizing solutions.
Skipping Biological Testing
These tests are important in assuring that sterilization cycles are effective through biological indications. If these tests are not conducted, the sterility of the instruments is unknown, and patients may be at risk for infection. Therefore, biological checks, like spore testing, should be frequently carried out to guarantee instrument safety.
Ensuring that records of test results are carefully kept and that proper standard check-ups are undertaken regularly would help solve some of these problems before they cause a major issue, protect the patient, and avoid contamination.
Improper Storage of Sterilized Instruments
When stored in a non-sterile environment, sterilized instruments are exposed to dust, moisture, or unsuitable handling, which makes them unsterile. This creates problems for the sterilization process and may make the patient prone to infections after the procedure is done.
According to sterility requirements for instruments, these instruments should be packed in sterile packets, and the storage place should be clean and free from humid areas. Routine assessment of storage structures will, therefore, assist in recognizing factors that hinder the sterility of instruments.
Neglecting Staff Training
Major mistakes related to patient safety usually follow cases where untrained personnel are handling instruments, and often, they may fail to adopt necessary measures when sterilizing instruments as required. Also, if sterilization equipment is improperly handled, its efficiency drops and contamination rises.
For these reasons, employees must be continually trained to perform sterilization training and educated regarding new methods and gadgets. Staff feedback may encourage implementations that will point out areas that require enhancement in sterilization.
Stellmacher Instruments for Reliable Sterilization
Autoclave sterilization is a fundamental process in surgical procedures, and healthcare facilities need to do everything possible to avoid these errors. For effective sterilization, therefore, use high-quality surgical instruments that are robust enough to hold out against any cleaning or sterilization.Stellmacher Instruments presented high-quality surgical instruments made of high-grade metal, ensuring high reliability and ease of sterilization. Instruments are made to standards that suit contemporary healthcare, enabling healthcare givers to deliver quality patient health. Select our Instruments for safer, cleaner and highly effective surgery instruments.