Instrument integrity and sterility: the perioperative practitioner's responsibilities.

Surgical instruments, whether single use or reusable, are defined by the University of Newcastle's Online Medical Dictionary as 'Hand held tools or implements used by health professionals for the performance of surgical tasks' (CancerWEB 1998). This definition, in its broadest terms, recognises that the inter-professional team (health professionals) are involved in the use, care and management of that tool or implement (performance of surgical tasks). Spry (2007) identifies that a surgical instrument could last 10 years if well made, carefully handled and appropriately used and that it is the responsibility of the surgical team and sterile services personnel to preserve and protect the life of each individual instrument.