Take the device with the adapter(s) and accessories to the decontamination area. Clean, decontaminate, and sterilize the device, adapter(s), and accessories following the instructions below.
Warning - Risk of infection!
Before use, the entire device, including its accessories must be decontaminated. Inadequate, incorrect, or superficial decontamination can create serious risk of infection in patients and/or users.
Cleaning
Clean the instrument externally with a soft sponge and a soft brush. If appropriate, take the instrument apart prior to decontamination.
1. Immediately after use: For best results, and to prolong the life of the instrument, reprocess immediately after use. Place the soiled instrument in an instrument tray/container that contains sterile distilled water or an enzymatic cleaning solution to moisten the soil and prevent blood, mucus, and other debris from drying on the instrument. Do NOT use a saline solution as it might damage or corrode the instrument. Flush the instrument's internal channels to remove gross soil and debris from inside the shaft. Place the instrument back into the solution and cover the tray/container with a towel moistened with the solution.
2. Enzymatic detergents soak. Prior to manual cleaning, soak the instrument in an approved, neutral pH (7 or lower), enzymatic detergent solution. Use only low-foaming, non-ionizing cleaning agents and detergents. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for use, warnings, concentrations and recommended cycles. Be sure that the solution is at the correct temperature as per the detergent manufacturer's recommendations. Completely immerse the instrument, with the jaws open, into the solution for a minimum of 5 minutes (or longer if called for on the detergent manufacturer's label).
3. Manual cleaning. Flush the instrument's internal channels with enzymatic detergent with the jaws open to remove gross soil and debris from inside the shaft, clean each of the instrument's components (jaws, hinges, handles and shaft) with a clean, appropriately sized soft-bristle brush to remove all organic debris. Pay particular attention to the hinges, crevices and other hard to clean areas, Do NOT remove any screws and do NOT attempt to disassemble the instrument.
4. Rinse. Prior to sonication in an ultrasonic cleaning unit, rinse the instrument's components thoroughly with lukewarm water for a minimum of 1 minute to remove dislodged debris and the detergent solution. Flush the instruments internal channels with the jaws open to remove dislodged gross soil and debris from inside the shaft. Wipe the instrument with a clean, soft cloth.
5. Ultrasonic cleaning. The cavitation action of ultrasonic cleaners can remove particles of debris from areas of the instrument inaccessible to a brush and is recommended as part of the reprocessing procedure. With the jaws in the open position, place the instrument in a mesh bottom instrument basket. Place the basket in the ultrasonic cleaner. Follow the recommendations of the ultrasonic cleaner manufacturer as to cycle times, cleaning solutions, suspension of the basket (e.g. the basket should not sit on the bottom of the ultrasonic cleaner), conditioning of the water, etc. Ensure that all instruments are fully submerged in the ultrasonic cleaner. Do NOT place dissimilar metals (stainless, copper, chrome-plated, etc.) in the same cleaning cycle.
6. Rinse. After removing from the ultrasonic cleaner, rinse all of the instrument's components thoroughly with lukewarm, neutral pH (7 or lower) water, which is controlled for bacterial endotoxins, to remove any remaining debris or ultrasonic, detergent residue that could interfere with the sterilization process. Flush the instruments internal channels with the jaws open to remove dislodged gross soil and remaining debris or ultrasonic detergent residue from inside the shaft. Wipe the instrument with a clean, soft cloth.
7. Dry. Instruments must be thoroughly dried with a clean, soft cloth. The use of pressurized air is recommended to aid in drying; especially in the crevices of the instrument. Residual moisture may contain waterborne pathogens and must be removed prior to
sterilization. Additionally, any remaining moisture, especially in the internal areas may result in corrosion that can cause the instrument to bind up and shorten the life of the instrument.
8. Visual Inspection. Visually inspect the instrument for cleanliness, and clean off any remaining debris. Visually inspect the instrument for damage. Open and close the jaws to ensure proper operation of the instrument.
9. Lubrication. Use a hospital approved instrument lubricant (instrument milk) on all of the instrument's moving parts to ensure that they move freely and will not bind up during use. Flush the instrument's internal channels with the instrument lubricant with the jaws open. Ultrasonic cleaners remove all of the lubrication from the instrument; therefore, proper lubrication during every reprocessing cycle before sterilization will extend the useful life of the instrument. If the instrument is to be stored or if it is to be sterilized by ethylene oxide (EtO) gas, be sure it is thoroughly dried after lubrication.
