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Using the sterilizer
5.5.2 Treatment of materials and instruments before sterilization
Failure to clean and remove organic residues from the instruments to be sterilized can affect the
sterilization process and cause damage to the instruments and/or the sterilizer.
Clean and process the materials and instruments to be sterilized as indicated in the following points:
1. Rinse the instruments thoroughly under running water immediately after using them.
2. Divide metal instruments into groups, according to the type of material of they are made (e.g.: brass, aluminium,
stainless steel, carbon steel, chrome-plated metal) in order to avoid electrolytic oxidation.
3. Perform a preliminary wash with an ultrasonic device that uses a mixture of water and germicidal solution
(follow the manufacturer’s instructions) or use a washer-disinfector. For best results, use a special detergent
for ultrasonic cleaning, with a neutral pH.
Solutions that contain phenols or quaternary ammonium compounds can cause corrosion to the
instruments and the metal parts of the ultrasonic device.
4. After ultrasonic cleaning, rinse the instruments and visually check that all residues have been completely
removed; if necessary, repeat the ultrasound cleaning or wash the instruments thoroughly by hand.
To avoid mineral deposits on the instruments to be treated, use demineralized or distilled water for
rinsing. If normal hard tap water is used, the instruments should be thoroughly dried.
5. When cleaning handpieces, in addition to the steps described above, run a wash cycle using a device specially
designed for cleaning handpieces, which performs thorough internal cleansing together with lubrication.
6. For sterilization of porous materials, wash and dry the materials thoroughly before sterilization.
For washing fabrics and porous materials in general, do not use detergent with high concentrations
of chlorine and/or phosphates, such as bleach, as it can damage the support and the metal trays
inside the chamber during the subsequent sterilization cycle.
5.6 Arranging the material on the trays before sterilization
Follow the guidelines below to obtain optimum effectiveness from the sterilization process and to preserve the life
of the materials and instruments.
It is required to use chemical and/or microbiological indicators for the qualification of the sterilization
process (it is recommended to use class 5 or class 6 indicators according to the ISO 11140-1 standard.
Place a chemical sterilization indicator on each tray to avoid sterilising the same load twice or using
unsterilized material. When sterilising wrapped material, place the chemical indicator inside one of the
wraps.
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