Guidelines in Practice: Care and Cleaning of Surgical Instruments

The recently updated AORN "Guideline for care and cleaning of surgical instruments" provides perioperative nurses with evidence-based guidance on instrument cleaning and ways to prevent surgical site infections. This article provides an overview of the guideline and discusses recommendations for prepurchase evaluation, processing before use, loaned items, water quality, personal protective equipment, point-of-use treatment, transport to the decontamination area, manual cleaning, and cleaning verification and inspection. A scenario illustrates the application of these practices when using a loaned instrument set. Perioperative nurses should review the guideline in its entirety and apply the recommendations to support infection prevention; protect patients and personnel; and ensure safe, evidence-based practice when caring for and cleaning surgical instruments.