How to keep instruments moist at point of use
CRCST practice question · Cleaning, Decontamination & Disinfection
At the end of a surgical procedure, a scrub person asks how to keep blood from drying on instruments that will not reach decontamination for some time. Which point-of-use action is most appropriate?
- A. Rinse the instruments thoroughly with sterile saline and leave them to air-dry on the back table
- B. Wipe off gross soil and keep instruments moist with an enzymatic spray, foam, or a water-moistened towel
- C. Soak the instruments in a basin of water and a high-level disinfectant until they are transported
- D. Close all hinged instruments and place them dry in the tray so they are protected during transport
Answer
B. Wipe off gross soil and keep instruments moist with an enzymatic spray, foam, or a water-moistened towel
Dried blood and tissue are much harder to remove and can protect microorganisms, so soil should be wiped off and instruments kept moist until cleaning. Saline is a poor choice because its chlorides promote pitting and corrosion of stainless steel. Disinfectants are not used at point of use because cleaning has not yet occurred.
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