Drying instruments

Hello, yes that is right. As you can read above in the HTM 01-05 part that I have copied in:
" For
instruments processed in a vacuum sterilizer, before
being wrapped, instruments should be dried using
a disposable non-linting cloth. However,
where instruments are to be wrapped prior to
vacuum sterilization, the instruments should be
dried."

Yes, I bet he will fall asleep before page 3...

MLA wrote: HTM 01-05 and the IG toolkit...better than any sleeping tablets!

How bizarre, My husband was just telling me he is suffering from insomnia....perhaps giving him a copy of HTM 01-05 might help him out?!
I have yet to sit down and read HTM but I am planning on doing so. I was under the impression that we have to dry instruments before sterilising and before bagging (using the 21 day rule)????

HTM 01-05 and the IG toolkit...better than any sleeping tablets!

MLA are you me???

I thought I was the only one who fell asleep with HTM 01-05!!

I don't think the person who can do all 'this' without going slightly mad at some stage, is born yet!
So, yes, there is always a new question and always some new problems.I am mad because I fell asleep with HTM 01-05 in my bed a few nights there...

Regarding the autoclave, get the manual out!(or download from Inet)It will tell you when all is happening.Laminate a copy and voila', you will be the master of Autoclaves, at least the little sister 2000!
Not heard that the autoclave would dry before the sterilising but if you are lucky it does both before and after!
MLA

Thanks for the info MLA, please tell me I'm not the only one who finds something new when reading HTM info!!

We use a little sister 2000, and I've been using the dry cycle however someone on another forum has said that the drying takes place before the autoclave processes and not after even though the screen displays DRY at the end after the usual fill heat etc. So therefore the instruments are not being dried after sterilising.. Any ideas?

I fully appreciate the reasons for drying instruments, ideal conditions for bacteria, can cause some instruments to go rusty etc and to be honest I'm so busy and fortunate enough to have enough instruments/trays to last me most of each session by the time I get to my autoclave my instruments have pretty much dried in there of their own accord.

Thanks for all the replies! Xx

Yes, that is , I guess, what the CQC will want us to do. All single use...In one way it is the best but the cost and the waste is much greater than reusable......
On the other hand...it takes longer to process all the reusable things and more tests needed...
et cetera, etcetera.
As long as we are doing what we should do, how we do it must be up to us! (us as "the practice")

MLA

We know but our trays are the ordinary metal ones but we will think about changing to single use ones.

Hello,

Well, I guess you have to use single use trays then?
If the trays aren't autoclaved (or are single use trays) they are never sterilised.
A washer disinfector doesn't do more than just that, wash and disinfect.


MLA

We have statim autoclaves so our trays dont fit in them. We do put them thru the washer/disinfector.Then they are placed on the strile side of central when the instruments have been autoclaved the trays are then loaded with the relevant instruments and bagged and stamped then placed in the hatch between the surgery and central. All other instruments are bagged up and date stamped. Then placed in the hatches or the relevant boxes we have for each procdure.

Hi again,
It is bit of a jungle this but HTM 01-05 states:
Instruments should be sterilized as soon as possible
after cleaning to avoid air-drying (which can
result in corrosion and/or microbial growth). For
instruments processed in a vacuum sterilizer, before
being wrapped, instruments should be dried using
a disposable non-linting cloth. However,
where instruments are to be wrapped prior to
vacuum sterilization, the instruments should be
dried.
With a type B vacuum steam sterilizer,
instruments will be pre-wrapped using purposedesigned
materials that are compatible with the
sterilizer. With a type S sterilizer, instruments
may be placed in purpose-designed cassettes.
In both cases, instruments should be dry
before they are placed in the purpose-designed
packaging.Once the wrapped instruments
have been sterilized satisfactorily, the product
may be stored for up to 60 days Note: instruments need to be dry before
they are packaged.With a displacement steam sterilizer (type N),
the instruments will not be wrapped prior to
sterilization. Immediately after removal from
the sterilizer, instruments may be wrapped using
suitable sealed view-packs. Instruments should
be dry before being packed. In addition, the
entire tray may be placed within a sealed pack
for storage purposes. In both of these instances,
storage for up to 21 days is recommended.
Products from a type N sterilizer may also be
transferred for use within the current session.
In this instance, while covering the instruments
is essential to protect against dust and aerosols,
wrapping is not required. However, the
instruments are not regarded as “stored” and
should therefore be used or streamed for a
further decontamination process within one
session. Instruments should be dry before being
transferred for clinical use.In all three cases, the instruments should be
dried using disposable non-linting cloths and be
appropriately handled. It is essential to ensure
that the cloth is adequately dry and free from
contamination. Accordingly, the cloth should be
disposed of after each sterilizer load.As part of essential quality requirements,
instruments that have remained unused for more
than 21 days and are not in a validated sterile pack
(processed by a vacuum sterilizer) should be
subjected to a further cycle of decontamination
before being used. Where vacuum sterilizer packs
are in use, the limitation on storage may be
extended to 60 days

All can be read in the HTM 01/05, this is just a small amount of information about cleaning instruments.

MLA

Hi if your autoclave has a drying cycle on then the instruments shouldnt require drying.
once ours come out of the autoclave we have a statim type. we bag up sraight away we wear gloves even tho gloves arent sterile. I tend to pick the instruments up in the middle. The pouches are stamped a month in adavance cos if they havent been used within a month then they get re autoclaved.

Hi Maisyandmoo,
My understanding, according to HTM 01-05, is that the instruments should be dried with a lintfree single use cloth before
1. being put in autoclave or
2. if being autoclaved in a bag, before bagged.

MLA

Hi everyone,

Quick query for you, do you dry instruments before bagging them?

If I'm honest I don't, once they have finished in the autoclave they get bagged after being inspected (again) ASAP whilst wearing gloves as I personally feel handling the instruments by drying them is making them less sterile.

When I'm bagging the instruments I make sure to touch the end which doesn't have direct contact with the mouth eg not holding the mirror end.

My reason for asking is seeing a colleague drying her instruments with paper towel..

What are your thoughts?