Can a humid storage environment of surgical instruments before reprocessing increase patient safety and durability of instruments?

Background: National and international guidelines recommend reprocessing of medical instruments to commence as soon as possible post-surgery; furthermore, they recommend that transport and storage of surgical instruments postoperatively occurs in a moist, humid atmosphere. The concern is that a dry storage environment results in deterioration of instruments.

Aim: To evaluate whether residual protein or corrosion is associated with storage environment (dry or humid), holding time or number of treatment cycles.

Challenging the six-hour recommendation for reprocessing sterilizable medical equipment.

Background: At present, reprocessing of sterilizable medical equipment is recommended to be initiated within 6 h after completion of surgery, to ensure that the quality of the instruments does not deteriorate. A literature search showed a lack of evidence for consequences that may occur if medical personnel deviate from the standard 6 h sterilization protocol.

Aim: To evaluate the 6 h recommendation for reprocessing sterilizable medical equipment by determining whether residual protein increased proportional to holding time before reprocessing was initiated, and likewise whether an increase in corrosion was present on surgical scissors proportional to holding time.