If an instrument is received in Central Service after surgery with documentation or tag indicating repair, what is the correct action?

The appropriate action when an instrument is received with documentation indicating a need for repair is to clean the item before sending it for repair. This step is crucial because ensuring that surgical instruments are clean before any maintenance or repair work is performed is a fundamental aspect of safely handling medical equipment. Cleaning the instrument removes any biological material, debris, or contaminants, which is essential for the safety of the personnel handling the instrument and prevents any risk of infection during repair processes.

Moreover, cleaning the instrument prior to sending it for repair helps maintain the integrity of the repair process itself. Technicians need a clean instrument to assess the extent of the damage and perform repairs efficiently. In the context of infection control and adherence to proper sterilization protocols, bypassing the cleaning step could expose your team, the equipment, and future patients to potential risks.

Other actions such as disposing of the instrument, filing the documentation, or simply storing the instrument until next use are not appropriate responses in this situation. Disposing of the instrument fails to address the need for repair indicated on the tag, while filing the documentation does not take any action to ensure the instrument is dealt with properly. Storing the instrument without cleaning or repairing it delays necessary maintenance and can lead to further deterioration or compromise of the instrument