Laparoscopic Instruments

[New SPD Manager]

We have some lap instruments that do not have cleaning ports and that do not come apart for cleaning. Does anyone have any suggestions about how to clean the inside shaft of these instruments?

Thank you.

[sonny1388]

tough situation to deal with, especially if they don't have cleaning ports. I would imagine that your best bet would be to put them in the sonics for 20min or so. Best possible situation would be if you had one of those washer/sonics machines that washes and rinses, but I don't imagine there are a lot of those around.

[JUNGLIISS]

Except for the sonic machine there is not much you can do just have your staff do visual check in decontamination, clean the working end properly. soaking should be a part of the decontamination process .chances are large object should not be able to get in the hard to reach area so soaking should be OK..however while its being assemble techs should look out for malfunction hard to move part and or parts stuck together this should be a sign to call your service man for repair of the instruments..good luck

[libra]

I would try and fight to have your institution get new instruments, preferably at least second generation with a cleaning port. You could have one taken apart that is supposedly "clean" and show the powers that be what is still inside and see if they would want that instrument used on them.

[New SPD Manager]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I really like Libra's suggestion! That's a good idea.

[Charles Walker]

Do you have any guide lines that came with the Laparoscopic instruments when you bought them from the company. I'm sure, they will tell you how to clean it. If there is none, call the company and request that information.