Protocol cleaning, sterilization and packaging of used tools and jewelry

  1. Wash your hands (as prescribed in hand washing protocol) 
  2. Put on examination gloves 
  3. Take your instrument tray / pre-soak (closed) to the dirty room (sterilization room) 
  4. At the dirty room / sterilization room, put on a clean disposable apron, mouth mask and / or disposable sleeve guards and safety glasses / splash goggles. 
  5. Fill the ultrasonic with demineralized water and enzymatic cleaning fluid (ratio as recommended by detergent manufacturer). 
  6. Lift the basket and place the dirty instruments one by one in the container to avoid splashing. 
  7. Carefully lower the basket into the water and close the lid. (plastic film over the lid can limit aerosol formation) 
  8. Switch on the ultrasonic and start the process as described by the manufacturer (time / temperature) 
  9. When the process is complete, remove and discard the plastic from the lid.  
  10. Remove the basket and place it in the (dirty) sink, fill it with water and empty the basket under water. 
  11. Scrub tools under water (brush / sponge) Scrub under water to avoid splashes.  
  12. Check the instruments (in case of visible contamination, repeat process with ultrasound or remove / discard instrument. 
  13. Rinse each instrument 
  14. Place instruments on clean paper towels to dry. 
  15. Empty your instrument container into a (dirty) sink, and rinse / scrub it clean and disinfect 
  16. Turn off the ultrasonic and clean/empty your ultrasonic daily (working days) via the tap 
  17. Rinse and disinfect the interior and dry. 
  18. Rinse your sink after use 
  19. Apron, sleeve protectors, gloves, mouth mask can be thrown away and glasses take off. 
  20. New jewelry only needs to undergo the process in a (clean) ultrasonic, or new jewelry can be cleaned via a steamer or via anodizing. Jewelry does not need to be scrubbed, but after ultrasonic it needs rinsing and drying. 
  21. The instruments / new jewelry must be completely dry and checked for defaults or damage. 
  22. Wash hands and put on gloves 
  23. Pack and seal the instruments / jewelry as described by the manufacturer. 
  24. Instruments should be packed in an open position. 
  25. Jewelry is disconnected (end from post) and packed in a seal bag. This so that the steam can penetrate all over the surface during sterilization. 
  26. Place a sticker with possibly the size of the instrument or necessary information of the jewelry in a corner on the plastic side of the bag 
  27. Place the bags in the autoclave, making sure that the paper side is exposed so that the steam can penetrate freely. 
  28. Place the dated indicator in a sterilization pouch and place it with the other pouches 
  29. Set the autoclave to the program and let it run 
  30. Afterwards open the autoclave and let the instruments / jewelry cool down 
  31. Switch off the autoclave 
  32. With gloves, remove the bags from the autoclave and check that the packaging is dry. 
  33. Check the indicator if it is discolored correctly according to the manufacturer’s instructions 
  34. Paste the indicator into the log with date, cycle number, cycle type and operator name. 
  35. Place the date and cycles number on the paper side of the bags by means of a stamp or sticker. Never with a pen because you can pierce the seal and it is no longer sterile. 
  36. Store the bags in a closed drawer / non-porous container or cupboard. And work first in, first out. 
  37. Wash your hands.