and the "passive oxide layer" of Surgical Instruments
Stainless steel surgical instruments are made of corrosion resistant high-grade specialty steels. The key word here is “resistant”. Corrosion resistant does not mean corrosion proof. One of the special characteristics of these steels is that the manufacturer forms a "passive oxide layer" on the surface, which protects them against corrosion. This makes surgical instruments as corrosion resistant as possible. It is imperative that you maintain the passive oxide layer to prevent corrosion and maintain your surgery instruments in optimal condition. If this is not done the stainless steel will corrode or stain more readily which will reduce the life of the surgical instrument and/or render it useless. Initially, all “stainless steel” surgical instruments have the same corrosion resistance. When strength and hardness requirements are important factors for instrument function, corrosion resistance is generally lower. Increasing the corrosion resistance would soften the stainless steel. Manufacturers of surgical instruments and surgical instrument containers recommend the use of neutral pH cleaning concentrates. Newly developed neutral pH all-in-one or "combination" cleaning concentrates have been shown to be effective in optimizing the efficacy of the "passive oxide layer". This will provide a longer life for stainless steel surgical instruments. More information and studies regarding the "passive oxide layer" of Surgical Instruments is below.
Virtually all manufacturers of surgical instruments, rigid scopes, flexible scopes, and instrument containers recommend the use of neutral pH cleaning concentrates. Generic Example of this recommendation: Do not use high acidic (pH <4) or high alkaline (pH >10) products for disinfection or cleaning, since these can corrode metal, cause discoloration or stress fractures.
he surface allowing dirt and water deposits to collect. Abrasive cleaning will remove the protective passive layer.
Do not use high concentrations of chlorine bleach to clean or disinfect stainless steel instruments, as pitting will occur. Never use bleach to clean any surgical instruments. The high pH of bleach causes surface deposits of brown stains and might even corrode the instrument. Even high quality stainless steel is not impervious to an acidic bleach solution.
Sort instruments by similar metal for subsequent processing so that electrolytic deposition (galvanic corrosion) due to contact between dissimilar metals will not occur.
Tap water can contain many minerals, which may discolor and stain surgical instruments. It is recommended that de-ionized water be used for the final rinsing to prevent spotting. all-in-one or "combination" cleaning concentrates can be effective in treating unacceptably hard source water and removing hard water encrustation from surgical instruments and equipment. If untreated tap water is used for final rinsing, then the instruments must be dried immediately to avoid staining.
Clean instruments, or apply treatment to prevent the drying and encrustation of debris, as quickly as possible after use. Do not allow blood and debris to dry on the instruments. If cleaning must be delayed, place groups of instruments in a covered container with appropriate detergent or enzymatic solution to delay drying. The use of pre-soaking enzyme foam sprays has been shown to reduce the time expended for manual cleaning and render higher quality outcomes. After surgery, open all box locks and disassemble instruments with removable parts. This will limit blood drying on instruments that may cause them to corrode. The "all-in-one" cleaners and the enzyme-detergent foam sprays deliver a chemical complex to: maintain hydration of bioburden, prevent corrosion, clean the surface, and condition the surface of instruments & scopes. This can significantly reduce manual cleaning and facilitate cleaning the surface of surgical instruments, scopes, and the lumens of cannulated instruments inside-and-one. If used properly, all-in-one enzyme detergent foam sprays and/or all-in-one "combination" cleaning concentrates can render excellent outcomes and facilitate cleaning instruments and scopes inside-and-out. They effectively cleaning the surface while cleaning lumens and working channels. This can eliminate or reduce the manual labor expended, rendering lower reprocessing costs while improving turnaround.
Contactergo-Logistics for product information and pricing that will lower your costs for conditioning and cleaning surgical instruments while delivering the surgical instrument care that you and your surgical instruments deserve.
Enzymatic enzyme detergent surgical instrument cleaners are surfactant based for cleaning proteinaceous soil and removing STAINS from surgical instruments.
deliver a unique formulation of multi-tiered high-level enzymes, detergents, and a surfactant chemical complex to: rapidly breakdown and remove bioburden, clean the surface of surgical stainless steel, prevent corrosion, remove stains from surgical instruments, enhance the surface protective "passive layer", and lubricate the moving parts of surgical instruments.
Surgical Instrument Cleaner with Conditioners™for cleaning Surgical Instruments cleaner, cleaning surgical instruments cost effectively and fast.
Surgical Instrument Cleaner with Conditioners™ for cleaning surgical instrument "snowflake clean. The cleaner is 100% biodegradable and Neutral pH. The Surgical Instrument Cleaners with Conditioners comply with the specifications of Surgical Instrument and Surgical Instrument Washer Manufacturers.
Enzymatic enzyme detergent surgical instrument cleaners deliver surfactant based agents for cleaning proteinaceous soil from surgical instruments and removing STAINS from surgical instruments.
The Surgical Instrument Cleaner with Conditioners™are highly concentrated for lower surgical instrument cleaning costs. ONE gallon of the all-in-ONE™ Surgical Instrument Cleaner can deliver 512 gallons of Surgical Instrument Cleaner. The Dilution rate is .25 to .5 ounces per gallon depending on level of bioburden, encrustation and stains.
