Surgery Center - Sklar Surgical Instruments

CARE AND CLEANINGTrouble shootingCorrosionProblem:Solution:Problem:Solution:Problem:Solution:Debris and residue in box locks,serrations and ratchets.Serrations, box locks and ratchetsshould be carefully cleaned andrinsed. A soft bristle brush iseffective in these difficult areas.Moisture remaining on the instrumentswithin the sterile wrappedpacks; excessive moisture in autoclaveduring sterilization and terminationof cycle.Preheat autoclave, drying timecannot be accelerated, open autoclavedoor slightly. Routinelyinspect valves.Malfunctioningvalves can precipitate corrosion.Some local water supplies containexcessive quantities of alkali. Thiscan manifest itself by depositingcorrosive matter on the instruments.It is generally accepted that colddistilled or demineralized water beused during sterilization. An alternativeis to use the local watersupply, while instituting a programof preventive maintenance.Carefully clean surfaces withSKLAR KLEEN, using SKLARPOLISH to remove difficult stainsand SKLAR LUBE forproper lubrication.PittingProblem:Solution:Problem:Solution:Problem:Solution:Instruments are inevitably exposed to chemical compoundsthat initiate pitting. The most common are salinesolutions and blood.It is essential that instruments be rinsed with distilled ordemineralized water and then cleaned routinely.Some Non-Sklar detergents contain a chloride or have anacid base. If rinsing is not thorough, the residual detergentcan precipitate pitting. Hydrochloric acid can beformed by the combination of chloride in the cleaner andsteam, causing the instrument to pit.Evaluate detergents without a chloride base. SKLARKLEEN is recommended.Instruments may be pitted when the detergent used hasan excessively high PH. If instruments are not rinsedthoroughly, and then autoclaved, the heat increases theeffect of the solution on the instruments.Use only detergents specifically developed for instrumentcleaning. Sklar Kleen products are pH balanced.Brownish StainProblem:Solution:This stain is more obvious on dull finish instruments.Most likely, it is a deposit of chromium oxide. The thinhard layer protects stainless steel from corrosion precipitatedby the atmosphere. The brownish film (sometimesdull blue) occurs naturally when stainless is heated.Occasionally this stain can be traced to the sterilizer.Improper cleaning compounds could contain polyphosphatesthat cause the copper components in the sterilizerto be deposited by electrolytic action on the stainlesssteel instruments.Water supply to autoclave should be cold and demineralized.Use the correct amount of SKLAR KLEEN as recommendedfor best results.Bluish Gray StainsProblem:Solution:Cold sterilizing solutions.In the preparation of the solution make certain the manufacturer’sdirections are followed accurately. To minimizediscoloration use distilled water and add a rust inhibitor.Using the solution beyond recommended time limitationswill cause the solution to become corrosive.164w w w . S K L A R C O R P. c o m 1 . 8 0 0 . 2 2 1 . 2 1 6 6