Coming Clean: An Essential for Reusable Medical Devices

More than 46 million surgical procedures are performed each year in the United States, in addition to many more millions of invasive medical procedures. Reusable medical instruments and devices are utilized in all of these procedures, each requiring reprocessing in order to be safely reused. Appropriate cleaning is a critical step in the multi-step reprocessing of reusable instruments and medical devices. The importance of this step is often overlooked; however, if a device is not clean, it cannot be properly disinfected or sterilized. Thus, improper cleaning poses a considerable health risk. In this program, the risks associated with the improper or incomplete cleaning of medical instruments and devices are identified. Additionally, the components of cleaning solutions and factors that impact their effective use will be addressed.

Objectives:

• Describe the risks associated with improper cleaning of reusable medical devices
• Identify the basic components of cleaning solutions
• Discuss factors for the effective use of cleaning solutions

Eligible for 1.0 contact hour of continuing education 

**This activity is provided by Infection Control Today, a provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number 15619, for 1 contact hour of continuing education.

Sponsored by:

Speaker:

Kathleen B. Stoessel RN, BSN, MS
In her current role as Senior Manager, Clinical Education for Kimberly-Clark Health Care, Ms. Stoessel is responsible for the development and presentation of continuing education programs for healthcare professionals. She serves as an internal consultant and is a professional speaker who presents nationally and internationally on clinically related topics. Ms. Stoessel’s clinical and education specialist expertise is based on her 24 year career as a Navy Nurse Corps officer.

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