The importance of the decontamination life cycle: Part 2

摘要

After medical devices have been cleaned and disinfected, they are then sent for inspection. All surgical instruments must be inspected for cleanliness, stains, corrosion, cracks, breakage, and stiffness of movable parts before being placed in instrument sets. If possible, instruments should be checked under magnification because small pieces of bioburden or debris can otherwise be difficult to see. Careful attention should be paid to instrument handles, serrations, box locks or hinges, cannulas or lumens, and instrument teeth. Each of these features can harbor small amounts of debris or bioburden.