title: Critical steps in instrument cleaning: removing debris after sonication.
abstract: To effectively clean and reuse instruments, dental personnel must pay close attention to all aspects of cleaning and sterilization procedures. This study addressed ultrasonic instrument cleaning and final rinsing. Results show that an ultrasonic solution can become increasingly contaminated with debris after each successive load of instruments is cleaned. The authors conclude that thorough rinsing of instruments after sonication in preparation for sterilization markedly reduces carry-over of detectable organic debris.
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina, School of Dentistry, USA.
authors.forename: N W
authors.initials: NW
authors.lastname: Burkhart
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Crawford
mesh_terms: D001769:Blood; D003666:Decontamination / Q000295:instrumentation; D003762:Dental Instruments; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D013010:Sonication; D013242:Sterilization / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D014465:Ultrasonics