Enemies of Surgical Instruments
In addition to giving tips on the care and cleaning of instruments, this
guide will discus several enemies of surgical instruments. Blood, tissue, and
surgical residue are the primary causes of pitting, staining, and discoloring of
instruments. Water and moisture also have damaging effects. Allowing any of
these elements to dry or soak on your instruments will cause undesirable stains.
Other enemies include washing instruments with
inappropriate solutions such as dish or laundry soap, bleach, disinfectants, and
non-approved solutions. Cold soaking also causes damage.
To properly care for your instruments, it is important to use approved
methods of cleaning, and to understand the causes of undesirable effects such as staining.
Surgical instruments are manufactured from 300 and 400 series stainless steel.
While this material rarely rusts-- it does stain, despite its name.
Stains appear as an orange or brown discoloration. The idea is to ensure proper care
to limit these stains.
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