Surgical Instruments

Instruments Care

COLORED HALO STAINS WITH SHARP CONTOURS
 
Problem

Deposits or Organic Substance.
Possible Cause  
Solution

Rinse instrument thoroughly and immediately after use in distilled or de-mineralized water.

COLORED HALO STAINS AND THE SHARP CONTOURS ARE NOT PRESENT
Problem

Metal Deposits.
Possible Cause

In flushing water or steam there are iron, copper, manganese etc: are present.
Solution

Use distilled or de-mineralized water.
WHITISH STAINS
Problem

Phosphate Deposits
Possible Cause  
Solution

Check Composition of Cleaning Solution
YELLOW TO DARK BROWN COLORS
Problem

Residue Deposits
Possible Cause

Old cleaning solutions/ Incorrectly cleaned instruments
Solution

Change baths after each use/ Rinse instruments immediately after use in distilled or de-mineralized water.
BLACK STAINS
Problem

Caustic Reaction
Possible Cause

Detergent with low pH content ( 6 or less )
Solution

Use Neutral Detergent
BLUISH-BLACKISH STAINS
Problem

Metallic Coating or Platting
Possible Cause

Metals of different types have been sterilized together such as: for instance stainless steel with Silver / Chrome / etc, etc.
Solution

Sterilize only the similar metal instruments together.
SEVERAL COLORS

Problem

Excess Heat (Chromatic Oxide)
Possible Cause

The autoclave is not operating properly or has been set to very high temperature (This can cause metal to loose some of its properties such as strength and hardness etc, etc.)
Solution

Correct the autoclave temperature