Cleaning Surgical Instruments: A Grey Medical Guide for You (2026)

Cleaning surgical instruments requires trained staff to follow proper protocols. The protocols have been set in a guideline for every practitioner. When followed, the tools become germ-free and safe for the patients. Knowing this guideline helps the staff keep the tools prepared beforehand. Considering the importance, we at Grey Medical have set a proper step-by-step guide for you to follow. 

 

In this Grey Medical guide, we will walk you through different methods of cleaning surgical instruments. For your convenience, we have prepared an instruction manual. Continue reading to explore! 

How to Clean Surgical Instruments

Surgical instruments are every surgical field aiding tools. Therefore, it is necessary to keep them in their best shape and form. This is only possible if we keep our surgical tools clean. A clean surgical kit is every surgeon’s dream. It not only ensures convenience but also enhances patient safety for successful outcomes. 

Below is an overview of why surgical practitioners should keep their surgical instruments sterilised, precisely: 

• Typically, when surgeons have cleaned surgical instruments, the chances of cross-contamination diminish. This helps patients recover on time. 
• Secondly, it helps practitioners stay away from any contagious infections. 
• Thirdly, when practitioners keep the instruments clean, there is no chance of corrosion development. 
• Last but not least, clean surgical equipment keeps the tools in their right shape. 

Steps to clean the medical instruments

Generally speaking, there are a lot of methods to clean the surgical apparatus. However, no matter the type of cleaning agent, the major steps followed are usually the same. Furthermore, technicians might choose the type of method depending on the configurations of the tool. 

The following steps should be followed to ensure your instruments remain in their right shape, such as: 

Dampening

Mostly, after the operation, the fluid hardens on the surface. To prevent this, it is advisable to dampen the instrument. It should be noted that submerging in the liquid is not recommended. The standard protocol is wrapping a microfiber cloth around the used tool. 

First Rinsing

Once the debris loosens, you need to rinse the surgical instrument with sterile water. However, for stubborn debris, the practitioners usually use a certified detergent. 

Disinfecting

Following the first wash, disinfect the surgical instruments with the help of classified disinfectants. Usually, it takes 10-15 minutes, and your disinfectant will complete its round. Typically, this step kills all the different microbes, minimising the chance of infections. 

Second Rinsing

The next step is a second rinse. Mostly, this step uses distilled water for a thorough rinse. 

Sterilization

Once the instrument has passed the mentioned steps, it is advisable to put it in either a steam steriliser or an autoclave. However, to be on the safe side, you should always read the instruction manual. This helps you follow every step in letter and spirit. 

Third Rinsing 

After disinfection and sterilisation, the instrument is ready to be rinsed the third time. This step cleanses the instrument of all the residue left from detergents and disinfectants. 

Drying and Storage

Mostly, the equipment is kept in a surgical kit. Rust may develop if the surgical instrument is wet. Therefore, either air-dry or use a specialised cloth. 

Surgical Instrument Cleaning Methods

Typically, Grey Medical recommends three methods of cleaning the surgical instruments to its users. Given are the following methods:

Manual Cleaning

It should be made clear that the manual cleaning method is recommended for complex surgical instruments. However, mostly the practitioners prefer manually cleaning the dirty surgical tools before opting for other cleaning methods. 

 

Generally speaking, the manual cleaning method comprises the use of a three-bay sink. A brief description is given: 

• The First Bay Sink: Typically, the trained staff uses the first bay sink to put the rinsed surgical instruments. Once the surgical equipment has been washed with cold water, it is put in the first bay sink. 
• The Second Bay Sink: At this stage, the practitioners use a soft brush to dust off any residue. As per IFU, it is a necessary protocol to wipe the sink that is placed beneath the waterline. This helps with keeping the microbes at a distance. Further, the lab technicians usually recommend using a low foam-producing detergent. 
• The Third Bay Sink: This is the final step. It involves washing the residue from the above two steps. 

Washer Disinfectant Cleaning

This method of cleaning surgical instruments uses a spray arm technology. It involves the use of high-pressure water to pull the stubborn residue out. Typically, the technicians set the pressure and chemical concentration before starting the treatment. This method has four different factors.

A quick overview is given for your information: 

Time Cycle

It is important to time the cleaning. A shorter cycle and the surgical instrument will not be cleaned properly. A longer cycle may wear the instrument. 

Temperature

For a normal disinfector, which has enzymatic cleaners, the temperature should be between 100-140°F/ 32-60 °C. For detergents, the temperature is kept between 122-180°F/ 50-82 °C. Most importantly, the temperature must be controlled throughout. 

Chemistry

The guideline for the chemical concentration comes with the surgical instruments. Grey Medical instruments also come with a thorough cleaning guideline. Therefore, reading the manual is important. Furthermore, maintaining a controlled water concentration is also crucial. 

Impingement

Impingement works as the pressure regulator for water. With washers that work on low impingement, technicians use chemicals of high concentration and vice versa. 

Ultrasonic Cleaning

With the advancements in science, surgical lab technicians have been given another method of cleaning. This method uses UV rays to clean debris from hard-to-reach areas. However, the method can cost more than the other cleaning processes.

FAQs

Q1: How do technicians take up the task of cleaning the surgical tools?

In present times, the technicians are using a combination of manual and ultrasonic cleaning. Once they have wiped the dirty tools manually, they pass the tools through ultrasonic rays. This helps properly clean the dirty tools. 

Q2: What is the aftercare for cleaned surgical instruments?

Once cleaned, keep the medical tools and supplies in a dry surgical box or a kit. Every kit has a designated spot for every tool. Therefore, keeping the cleaned surgical instruments in their kits is recommended. 

Learn with Grey Medical’s Procedural Guide on Cleaning Surgical Instruments

Sparkling and well-kept surgical instruments keep the surgical field away from any invading germs. Furthermore, the construction of the instrument remains true to its initial form. Therefore, if you want to obtain the best surgical outcomes, cleaning them thoroughly is important. In this Grey Medical guide for you, we covered every protocol in detail. For further support, you can contact our support page, available 24/7.