Ultrasonic cleaning removes biological soil from hinges, serrations and lumens before sterilization.
Why cleaning comes first
Residual organic soil can shield microorganisms from the sterilant, so thorough cleaning before sterilization is essential. Cavitation reaches hinges and serrations.
Enzymatic or instrument chemistry is commonly used.
- Hinges and box locks
- Serrations
- Lumens and cannulas
Instrument loading
Instruments are separated in baskets and opened so the liquid reaches them, with lids that contain aerosols.
Lumens need attention to orientation and flow.
Rinsing and inspection
Rinsing removes chemistry and debris, and instruments are inspected and dried before the validated sterilization step.
Cycle parameters follow the facility's reprocessing procedure.
Validated reprocessing
The cleaning stage is used within the facility's validated workflow and is not a substitute for sterilization.
Loading, chemistry and times are documented for consistency.
Quick Answers
Frequently asked questions
No. It removes contamination before sterilization and is a pre-treatment within the facility's validated reprocessing workflow.
Enzymatic or instrument-specific cleaners, with concentration and temperature set by the chemical and facility procedures.
With attention to orientation and flow, lumens and cannulas can be cleaned, validated as part of the facility procedure.
