Sterilization Best Practices for Reusable Surgical Instruments

Correct reprocessing protects patients from infection and protects your investment in instruments. These best practices help CSSD and theatre teams get it right every time.

Clean promptly after use

Rinse or wipe instruments at the point of use and keep them moist until cleaning. Dried blood and tissue are much harder to remove and can cause corrosion.

Use the right detergents

• Use pH-neutral or mildly alkaline enzymatic detergents.
• Avoid saline and bleach, which cause pitting and rust.
• Open hinged instruments fully so joints are cleaned.

Inspect before packing

Check every instrument under good light for residue, cracks, misalignment and blunt edges. Remove damaged items for repair rather than sending them back to theatre.

Pack and sterilise correctly

Use quality sterilization pouches or wraps with chemical indicators, avoid overloading trays, and follow validated autoclave cycles. Record each load for traceability.

Store safely

Keep sterile packs in a clean, dry, closed area and rotate stock on a first-in, first-out basis.

Need pouches, indicators or instrument repair? Our team can help you set up a reliable reprocessing routine.