Decontaminating your podiatry surgical instruments
Though a surgical instrument may look clean, it does not necessarily mean it is. Residual bio-burden may be hidden in nooks and crannies or can be so miniscule that it is impossible to see. This creates a fertile breeding ground for micro-organisms and pose a cross-contamination threat to both patient and clinician. No matter how hard you work, or how highly trained you are in cleaning protocols you may be - without an effective enzymatic cleaner you will be unable to remove all the bio-burden.
Only an effective multi-tiered enzymatic cleaner with specific enzymes designed to digest the various components of bio-burden will enable you to successfully decontaminate your instruments.
Enzymes are the catalysts which facilitate chemical reactions in cleaning by breaking down and digesting contaminants.
The major components of bio-burden on surgical instruments are blood, fat, protein, carbohydrate and starches. These are inextricably intermingled so it is imperative to have the precise enzyme for each component. If not, the unremoved components will act as a shield prohibiting other enzymes from working. For instance, blood cell membrane has a significant carbohydrate content and, unless it is completely digested, will leave a balance of protein on the instrument, thus rendering the instrument unclean and unable to be sterilised. This is true for each component; in order to remove one, you must remove them all.
Therefore, it is essential to have a multi-tiered enzymatic cleaner containing:
These enzymes should be instantly active and constantly active so they will continually break down each component as it arises during the cleaning cycle. Even the tiniest amount of bio-burden on an instrument renders that instrument unclean, and therefore unsterilisable. It is essential to use an enzymatic cleaner that contains the correct enzymes to completely digest all the components of bio-burden.
Ruhof’s Multi-Tiered-Endozime™ AW Plus is that enzymatic cleaner. A product resulting from thousands of hours of research in partnership with healthcare professionals throughout the world, Endozime AW Plus ensures a CLEAN instrument, not just a clean-looking instrument. Bailey Instruments Limited is able to supply the podiatry market with Endozime AW Plus. It may be used for manual cleaning, washer disinfectors and ultrasonic cleaners.
Presentation:
How to use
Add 4ml of Endozime AW Plus to 1 litre of tepid water.
Submerge instruments
Soak for 2 minutes to absorb organic matter
Rinse cleaned instruments thoroughly with tap , distilled or sterile water
Discard used solution – it is safe to enter normal waste/sewer.
Endozime AW Plus is biodegradable
For heavily contaminated instruments - Surgistain®
Surgistain® is a quick, safe and efficient non-corrosive revitalising solution that removes all water mineral staining, rust, pitting and corrosion from stainless steel surgical instruments. If used on a monthly basis in conjunction with Endozime AW Plus, Surgistain® will maintain the life and efficiency of your surgical instruments.
Presentation
How to use:
NOT to be used on chrome or silver plated instruments
Mix 1 part Surgistain® with 7 parts hot water
Place solution in non-porous container
Carefully place instruments into solution with joints opened - avoid splashing
Leave instruments submerged in solution for 15 minutes ( 30 minutes for heavily stained instruments)
Remove , and rinse instruments thoroughly
Once used , may be disposed of into sewer