07/05/2024
Wipe and Flush Instruments During a Procedure to Prevent Biofilms
👉The numbers don’t lie - surgical site infections (SSI’s) make up more than 40% of adult health care–associated infections. Multidrug resistance to the two most reported pathogens, 😷 Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, means that treating infections is becoming even more tricky.
Biofilms result when microbes become attached to surfaces, forming a mass that is difficult to remove. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shared that bacteria within biofilms are up to 1,000 times more resistant to antimicrobials than are the same bacteria in suspension.
Reducing Biofilms
✔To prevent the development of SSIs, wipe and flush ✂ surgical instruments used during procedures to reduce the build-up of biofilms on them.
Point-of-Use Treatment
✔The surgical technologist should use sterile water 💦 to wipe and flush the instruments and keep them moist during the procedure. Nix the normal saline! The sodium chloride can cause pitting and rusting on the instruments, creating microscopic spaces where biofilm can form.
Following the Manufacturer's IFU
✔ Not sure? Check the equipment’s instructions for use (IFU). An IFU for reusable medical devices may instruct you avoid solutions with a high chlorine content or specify that cannulated devices should be flushed with sterile or purified water.
📌 Save this post for future reference! Revisit these steps and share your biofilm prevention tips in the comments.
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