Surg-ENZ
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 must maintain the passive oxide layer to prevent corrosion and maintain your surgery instruments in optimal condition. If this is not done the stainless steel can corrode or stain which can reduce the life of the surgical instrument or render it useless. 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 Surgical Instrument Cleaner cleaning concentrates. Newly developed neutral pH all-in-one or "combination" Surgical Instrument Cleaner 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.
Surg-ENZ
recommended by Device Manufacturers
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) Surgical Instrument Cleaner for disinfecting or cleaning, since these can corrode metal, cause discoloration or stress fractures.
Do not use abrasive pads or Surgical Instrument Cleaner cleansers, which will scratch the surface allowing dirt and water deposits to collect. Abrasive cleaning will remove the protective passive layer.
Do not use Surgical Instrument Cleaners with 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.
Surg-ENZ
Clean instruments 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 Surgical Instrument Cleaners 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" Surgical Instrument Cleaner delivers a chemical complex to: maintain hydration of bioburden, prevent corrosion, clean the surface, and condition instruments & scopes. This will significantly reduce manual cleaning and facilitate cleaning lumens inside-and-one. Enzymatic detergent foam sprays and/or all-in-one "combination" Surgical Instrument Cleaner cleaning concentrates render excellent outcomes and facilitate cleaning instruments and scope inside-and-one, effectively cleaning the surface while cleaning lumens and working channels. This can eliminate or reduce the manual labor expended, rendering lower reprocessing costs and improving turnaround.
Surg-ENZ
The reprocessing decontamination process, whether done manually or automatically in a washer-decontaminator- disinfector, can only be effective if cleaning is adequate. Effective disinfection or sterilization: (Generic Sterilization with a Pre-Vacuum Sterilizer (HI-VAC): 270-272° F (132-134° C), 16-minute exposure time, with 4 pulses and a 30-minute dry time. Generic Sterilization with a Gravity Displacement Sterilizer: 270-272° F (132-134° C), 30-minute exposure time, with a 30-minute dry time.)
Ultrasonic cleaners are very effective when used with hot water per manufacturer’s recommended temperature and specially formulated detergents. It is recommended that all visible debris and blood be removed from the instrument prior to ultrasonic cleaning. Contact between dissimilar metals can cause corrosion when ultrasonics is applied. Sort surgical instruments according to similar metal types to prevent corrosion. (electrolytic deposition - galvanic corrosion) It is not recommended to clean plated instruments in an ultrasonic cleaner since the ultrasonic vibration and the presence of other sharp instruments may crack or rupture the plating. Ultrasonic Cleaners are not as effective as washer decontaminators in providing the complete "proper sequence of treatments" i.e. final rinse(s) that are purified and/or have temperatures elevated to disinfection levels. Ultrasonic Cleaning can effectively remove: long term encrustation and surgical cements or glues that have dried onto instrumentation. Overloading, and low water temperature, will decrease the effectiveness of ultrasonic equipment.
Surg-ENZ
To maintain moving parts and protect instruments from staining and rusting during sterilization and storage, they should be lubricated with a water-soluble, preserved lubricant after each cleaning. Most automated washer decontaminators provide the option for lubrication at the end of the final rinse treatment. Since effective ultrasonic cleaning removes all lubricant, re-lubrication is important.
Staining and spotting may result if residual chemicals are not completely rinsed from instruments that are subjected to steam sterilization. Following the manufacturer’s recommendations for the proper sequence of treatments (cold water pre-wash, enzyme/detergent wash, purified water rinse/lubrication, and drying) is critical in preventing of staining and spotting. Cleaning concentrates should be "free-rinsing" to avoid spotting instruments.
(Guidelines on metals and alloys in contact with food; Council of Europe; published 11.10.2000. Systemic nickel: the contribution made by stainless steel cooking utensils; Contact Dermatitis, Volume 32:2, 1994) of the stainless steel passive layer to prevent corrosion have revealed a reduction in corrosion prevention with the use of cleaning concentrates that are not neutral pH.
What is Stainless Steel ?
The corrosion resistance and other useful properties of the steel are enhanced by increased chromium content and the addition of other elements such as molybdenum, nickel and nitrogen. Stainless steel has a passive film created by the presence of chromium (and often other alloying elements, nickel, molybdenum) that resists this process.
The passive layer or stainless steel is intended to prevent or resist corrosion. The process is called “Passivation”.
John Temple
Product Development
