| 26 tips to make
instruments last 26 years
by Derek Lashua, marketing director,
Spectrum Surgical Instruments Corp.
German made Surgical Instruments can
last 26 years if properly cared for. The "care" is only part of the
longevity formula. Proper use, scheduled maintenance and adequate
number of instrument sets all contribute to the longevity of surgical
instruments.
Maximize surgical instrument usage
with these tips:
1. Always make an effort to prevent
blood from drying on instruments.
2. Eliminate the use of saline as a
soaking agent.
3. Always ultrasonically clean
instruments.
4. Conduct annual Instrument Care
Educational Programs for Surgery.
5. Certify Sterile Processing
personnel while rewarding education.
6. Lubricate instruments often with a
neutral Ph spray on lubricant.
7. Monitor the water quality of
Sterilizers and the Sterile Processing Department.
8. Know what Surgical Instrument Sets
get used the most and perform preventive maintenance/ repair on these
Sets.
9. Spend money on Surgical Instrument
Preventive Maintenance – it costs 70%-80% less than buying new
replacement instruments.
10. Have Purchasing get Instrument
Warranty in writing, including how to use the warranty and how to
obtain warranty replacements.
11. Is your Instrument Vendor
providing sales representation or service representation?
12. Is your GPO Agreement truly
lowest price? Be a consumer and have Purchasing shop the pricing.
13. Is the Instrument Vendor
providing Education on Care and Handling of Surgical Instruments?
14. Buy gold handled needleholders –
they last 10-15 times longer than standard needleholders.
15. Are your catalog numbers being
"buffed off" your instruments in the repair process? If so, this
negative element eliminates your Instrument Warranty.
16. Buying lowest price is usually
lowest quality and Pakistan made.
17. All Orthopedic Trays should
contain a pair of Stainless Needle Nose Pliers so the surgeon doesn’t
damage the needleholder.
18. For the Instrument Sets that get
"flashed" the most, buy additional sets to prevent flashing and
overuse.
19. Teach Sterile Processing how to
disassemble the instruments for proper cleaning.
20. Provide Sterile Processing the
proper tools to clean instruments, such as soaps, enzymatic cleaners,
mechanical washers, ultrasonic cleaners, brushes.
21. Buy Instrument Protection Devices
for Scopes and delicate instruments.
22. Negotiate with your Repair Vendor
to offer free Set Inspection – this service will find minor repairs
and adjustments that will save the instrument and your budget.
23. Never overload an Instrument Tray
with more than 25 lbs.
24. Be proactive – test scissors and
Orthopedic Instruments for sharpness.
25. Replace the few Chrome
Instruments with Stainless Steel – this will reduce cross
plating/staining.
26. Protect Laser and LEEP
Instruments from metal to metal contact – use silicon mats, foam or
towels in the bottom of these trays.
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