After multi-part instruments have been cleaned and reassembled for testing, they must be:

After multi-part instruments have been cleaned and reassembled for testing, it is crucial to follow the manufacturer's Instructions for Use (IFU) to ensure they are properly disassembled and sterilized. This process is essential for maintaining the instruments' functionality and preventing contamination. The IFU provides specific guidance on how to prepare the instruments for sterilization, including the correct methods and settings for the sterilization process, which may vary depending on the materials and design of the instrument.

Proper sterilization guarantees that any potential bio-burden that may have remained after cleaning is effectively eliminated. Given the critical nature of surgical instruments in health care settings, maintaining their sterility is paramount to patient safety and infection control.

Storing instruments immediately without proper sterilization may lead to contamination, while disposal is not an appropriate action when instruments can be reused after proper processing. Leaving them out for inspection also poses a risk of contamination and does not fulfill the necessary step of sterilization. Thus, adhering to the manufacturer's IFU for disassembly and sterilization is the correct and best practice for maintaining multi-part instruments.