Premium
Residual Organic Debris on Processed Surgical Instruments
Author(s) -
DesCôteaux JeanGaston,
Poulin Eric C.,
Julien Maryse,
Guidoin Robert
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
aorn journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.222
H-Index - 43
eISSN - 1878-0369
pISSN - 0001-2092
DOI - 10.1016/s0001-2092(06)63680-6
Subject(s) - residual , forceps , surgical instrument , debris , sterilization (economics) , medicine , visual inspection , biomedical engineering , surgery , computer science , geology , artificial intelligence , oceanography , algorithm , monetary economics , economics , foreign exchange market , foreign exchange
This preliminary study describes the degree of cleanliness of three categories of surgical instruments after processing (ie, decontamination, inspection, sterilization). The three categories were reusable laparoscopic, reused disposable laparoscopic, and conventional surgical instruments. The objective of the study was to identify from visual inspection and microscopic examination residual particles, stains, or liquid on processed instruments. The investigators studied 32 instruments selected at random from a hospital's supply of processed surgical instruments. On visual inspection, 90.6% (29–32) of the instruments appeared clean. Microscopic examination with a photomicrographic system, however, revealed residual debris on 84.3% (27/32) of the instruments. The quantity of residual debris on both types of laparoscopic instruments (ie, reusable, reused disposable) was equivalent. The conventional instruments contained less residual debris than the laparoscopic instruments. Sites that contained residual debris included junctions between insulating sheaths and activating mechanisms of laparoscopic instruments and articulations and grooves of forceps. More research is needed to determine the prevalence and clinical significance of these findings. AORN J 62 (July 1995) 23–29.