What is required of loaner instruments before use?

Loaner instruments must be decontaminated before use to ensure safety and prevent the transmission of infection. Even if the instruments come from a reputable source, they can become contaminated during transport or handling. Therefore, they must undergo a thorough decontamination process, following established protocols, to remove any biological material, blood, or other contaminants. This step is critical in maintaining the aseptic environment required in surgical procedures and protecting patient safety.

While sterilization is also an essential step, it generally occurs after decontamination. Visual inspection is necessary as a part of the quality control process but does not address the critical aspect of removing contamination. Marking with patient ID is important for tracking instruments, but it does not relate directly to the requirement before instruments can be safely used. Thus, the obligation to decontaminate is a foundational step to ensure that loaner instruments are safe for use in a clinical setting.