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Without a form of automated cleaning, CSSDs must manually clean these crevices which is time consuming. Ultrasonic cleaning provides a safe, effective
way to clean multiple surgical instruments at once, from delicate ophthalmic and laparoscopic devices to heavy orthopaedic instruments. The ultrasonic cleaning process allows for scrubbing action to reach small crevices, irregular surfaces and internal channels, without damaging the intricate device. Ultrasonic washers are designed to dislodge challenging soils from the surface and lumens on instruments and provide consistent cleaning results throughout the washer chamber.
Selecting the right sonic Ensuring you have the right ultrasonic washer to support your facility’s device inventory and throughput needs is important. Many high- growth procedures, such as orthopaedic and ophthalmic require more complex instruments. Facilities should evaluate their current needs and capabilities with plans to support future reprocessing needs. There are three primary questions to help you select the right ultrasonic washer for your facility: 1. Quantity: How many devices are your reprocessing on a typical day?
a. How long does a typical cycle take per the medical devices’ IFUs? The number of devices and the amount of time required for processing will determine the capacity of sonic needed, or the number of sonics that should be installed.
2. Type: What devices are you reprocessing? a. Is your facility performing more orthopaedic procedures? You may need a larger sonic to reprocess more devices in a single cycle to address increasing demand.
b. Are you reprocessing robotic instruments? You will need a sonic that meets all robotic instrument IFU requirements, including the automated flush and rinse phases to optimise your robotic reprocessing workflow.
c. If your facility is performing ophthalmic procedures, you may need a dedicated ultrasonic for eye instruments that does not utilise an enzymatic detergent to reduce the risk associated with Toxic Anterior Segment Syndrome (TASS).
3. Space: How much space is available in your department? Does the space available provide the necessary footprint for a solution that will support your throughput needs?
Ultrasonic cleaning recommendations Ultrasonic cleaning systems should be installed, used and maintained in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. This will include
Free standing and tabletop ultrasonic cleaners for increased efficiency
the use of specific detergents for cleaning, and adherence to recommended preventative and routine maintenance. The following recommendations are given for the safe and effective use of ultrasonic cleaning systems: l Gross soil should be removed (pre-cleaned) from the device prior to cleaning in the ultrasonic cleaner and lumens brushed/ flushed.
l Surgical instrument cleaning chemistries should be designed for use in ultrasonic systems.
l Degassing of freshly prepared cleaning solution is generally recommended before processing devices, following manufacturer’s instructions.
l The device IFUs should be consulted to ensure compatibility. Some devices/materials of construction (such as certain types of adhesives on optical components or rubber) are not recommended for sonication due to the risk of damage to device components. Devices that contain metals such as brass, copper, aluminum, or chrome-plate may not be compatible if mixed with other device materials such as stainless steel.
l Cleaning solutions should be frequently changed, preferably with each use and always before processing ophthalmology instruments.
l Regular verification testing of the ultrasonic washer is recommended to confirm that the cleaning process is functioning properly. This will include daily maintenance and periodic service maintenance, or the use a cleaning verification indicator
Careful attention to all these variables in ultrasonic cleaning systems can provide an optimal cleaning process for devices. The cleaning of complex reusable surgical instruments requires different considerations and processes when compared to conventional
About the author
Andreia Messias is an international marketing manager at STERIS with responsibilities for decontamination equipment. During her education she undertook a BSc in Biomedical Sciences, followed by a MSc in Medical Diagnostics at Cranfield University with a focus in medical devices. While doing her research on medical devices, she developed a passion for infection prevention technologies, and she has been working in this industry for the past nine years.
reusable surgical instruments. Innovations in ultrasonic cleaners allow complex surgical instruments to be adequately processed in cycles with maximised performance that optimise productivity.
Email:
contact_hc@steris.com Web:
www.steris.com
STERIS IPT EMEA August 2023 I
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