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3: PREPARING INSTRUMENTS FOR STERILIZATION |
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In electrology, your instruments are all important. Without them you can
not practice your profession. They must be handled and reprocessed so that
they are safe for the client and yourself. Sterilized instruments must be
used for all clients.
All instruments must be cleaned before disinfection or sterilization. Soil
acts as a protective barrier to microorganisms so that disinfectants are
less effective and sterilization may not take place. Cleaning removes not
only the soil but large numbers of microorganisms in soil thus improving
the effectiveness of both the disinfection and sterilization process.
Handling Instruments must be handled carefully both when used and when
reprocessed. All the instruments used in electrology are delicate, since
they are used to do fine work. Your forceps (tweezers), probes etc. are
considered delicate and must be processed as such. Take care not to drop
them as they can be damaged easily. For instance, the points or tips on
forceps can be bent making them useless in your practice. Have all
instruments that are not in working order repaired or disposed of as an
instrument that is damaged or doesn't work is useless even though it may be
sterile.
Protection When handling soiled instruments always wear household rubber
gloves. If you are concerned with splashing of blood or other matter wear a
plastic apron, and eye protection. To protect yourself from microorganisms
in the air as you are scrubbing instruments, wear a mask.
Soaking After an instrument is used place open into a container containing
clear cold water or water with an enzymatic detergent. This will soften any
protein material like blood for easier cleaning. Do not use a disinfectant
solution as a holding or soaking solution, as most disinfectants will
solidify protein material like blood and make it more difficult to remove.
Any instruments that have several parts must be taken apart before
cleaning.
Manual Cleaning When manually cleaning instruments use a warm mild
detergent solution. Scrub all instruments with a brush making sure that all
serrations or hinges are clean. Do all scrubbing under water to prevent
aerosolizing the microorganisms. Rinse well in running water. It is as
important to rinse well as to wash with detergent. Dry the instruments
well.
Mechanical Cleaning When mechanically cleaning with a sonic cleaner, use
the detergent recommended by the manufacturer. A sonic cleaner requires a
low sudsing detergent. A sonic cleaner works by passing sonic waves through
the detergent solution forming air bubbles which enlarge until they implode
pulling the soil away from the surface of the instrument. This puts the
soil in suspension in the detergent solution and frequently leaves a film
on the surface of the instruments. Rinse the instruments well to remove
this film of soil. Dry the instruments well before processing further.
Packaging As the instruments for the use in electrolysis must be sterilized
between clients and not necessarily sterile at the time of use, except for
the needles, any packaging is for dust protection only. There are special
sterilization bags available to package any instruments for steam or dry
heat sterilization. Specify to your supplier which you require. The use of
reusable needles is not recommended.
Remember, only clean open (hinged) instruments will be successfully
sterilized as steam sterilization is a surface sterilization process and
only sterilizes the surface of the soil and protects the microorganisms
contained within. Soil makes the dry heat sterilization process more
difficult. Wash, rinse and dry all instruments before sterilization.
INFECTION CONTROL ARTICLES
- PREPARING FOR THE PATIENT/CLIENT
Spring 2001, Volume 8, Number 1
- PREVENTING INFECTION FOR ELECTROLYSIS
Fall 2000, Volume 7, Number 2
- INFLUENZA
Spring 2000, Volume 7, Number 1
- MICROORGANISMS AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
Summer 1999, Volume 6, Number 2
- BLOOD BORNE INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND PERSONAL PROTECTION
Spring 1999, Volume 6, Number 1
- MICROORGANISMS & INFECTION
Fall 1998, Volume 5, Number 2.
- BIOLOGICAL TESTING OF YOUR STERILIZATION PROCESS
Spring 1998, Volume 5, Number 1
- STEAM STERILIZATION
Fall 1997, Volume 4, Number 2
- CHEMICAL STERILIZATION
Spring 1997, Volume 4, Number1
- DRY HEAT STERILIZATION
Fall 1996, Volume 3, Number 2
- STERILIZATION
Spring 1996, Volume 3, Number 1
- IS YOUR USE OF NEEDLES SAFE IN YOUR PRACTICE?
Fall 1995, Volume 2, Number 2
- PREPARING INSTRUMENTS FOR STERILIZATION
Spring 1995, Volume 2, Number 1
- WHY ARE GLASS BEAD STERILIZERS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR USE IN ELECTROLOGY?
Fall 1994, Volume 1, Number 2
- STERILIZATION: HOW, WHEN, AND WHAT WITH
Spring 1994, Volume 1, Number1
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