Standard Guide for Selecting Test Soils for Validation of Cleaning Methods for Reusable Medical Devices

Reusable medical devices such as endoscopes, arthroscopic shavers, surgical instruments, and suction tubes are exposed to biological soils during clinical use. Preparation of these devices for reuse requires cleaning and disinfection and/or sterilization as applicable. Adequate cleaning is the first step in a process intended to prevent contaminant transfer to the next patient and medical practitioner. The soils, if inadequately removed, can interfere with disinfection and sterilization processes, as well as performance of the device. Acceptance criteria are based either on a visual assessment or quantitatively specified marker(s) endpoint(s) of the soil or both (ISO/TS 15883-5, Section 1). Endpoints after cleaning should be based upon possible interference with disinfection/sterilization, risk to the patient or health care worker from the contaminant during further handling, and endpoints for cleaning established in the scientific literature.

CONTINUE READING ON www.astm.org