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O U T P AT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | A P R I L 2 0 1 4
J
ust because surgical instruments are made of stainless
steel doesn't mean they'll never stain. A lack of attention to
care and handling at the point of use and during the decon-
tamination process can result in surface marking, discol-
oration and corrosion. This damage renders instruments
unfit for use in the OR. Follow these rules to make sure your surgeons
can depend on their instruments.
Point of use pre-cleaning
Instrument damage often begins at the point of use. Blood, pus and
other body fluids contain chloride ions that, with prolonged exposure,
S T E R I L E P R O C E S S I N G
Sharon
Greene-Golden,
CRCST,
FCS
Sharon Greene-Golden, CRCST, FCS
Norfolk, Va.
The keys to preventing spots, stains and pits.
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