How to Clean Instruments In Personal Service Settings STEP 1: STEP 2: STEP 3: STEP 4: STEP 5: Presoak Clean Rinse Air Dry Disinfect Soak in appropriate disinfectant for the required contact time. – OR – Sterilize Use an autoclave or dry heat sterilizer. In cool water, soak instruments that cannot be immediately cleaned with water and detergent. Clean with warm water and detergent. Rinse under warm running water. Use a scrub brush or ultrasonic cleaner and utility gloves. Cleaning is the FIRST step before disinfection or sterilization. Disinfectants work BEST on clean instruments. Adapted with permission from Toronto Public Health. Air dry and store in a clean, covered container until ready to disinfect or sterilize. Multi-use items that penetrate the skin and come in contact with blood/body fluid must be sterilized. Other multi-use items may be disinfected. Region of Waterloo Public Health Health Protection and Investigation Infection Control Program 519-575-4400 | TTY 519-575-4608 | www.regionofwaterloo.ca/ph A Guide to Disinfection & Sterilization Level of Disinfection/Comments Examples of Items Product Options Contact Time Helpful Tips Sterilization Results in the destruction of all forms of microbial life including bacteria, viruses, spores and fungi Items that penetrate the skin and come in contact with blood/ body fluid. Items that hold sterile instruments. Critical items: • Re-usable parts of micro pigmentation pen • Needle bars • Needle tubes and grips • Forceps • Piercing clamps, jewelry openers/ closers, receiving tubes • Straight razors Dry heat sterilizer Follow manufacturer’s instructions. Time varies with temperature and type of materials • High-level disinfection Kills all microorganisms except bacterial spores Items that come into Semi-critical items: • Needle/probe holder (e.g. contact with nonintact skin or *mucous electrolysis) membranes and may • Comedone extractors accidentally penetrate them. 1:50 bleach dilution: 2 tsp. (10 ml) 20 minutes 5.25% chlorine with 2 cups (500 ml) water Intermediate-level disinfection Kills most bacteria, fungi, viruses and mycobacteria (tuberculocidal) Items that contact Semi-critical items: intact skin or *mucous • Footbaths membranes and may • Ear piercing guns accidentally penetrate • Handle and cradle of razors • Crochet hook, hair trimmers, edgers them. • Nippers, clippers, cuticle pushers • Comedone extractors • Tweezers 1:50 bleach dilution: 2 tsp. (10 ml) 10–12 minutes 5.25% chlorine with 2 cups Follow manufacturer’s (500 ml) water instructions • 70–90% Alcohol • Low-level disinfection Kills some viruses, bacteria and fungi Environmental surfaces and instruments that do not penetrate the skin or have contact with blood or body fluids. Non-critical items: • Combs, brushes and calipers • Service trays • Hairdressing stations • Chairs • Floor/walls • Make-up brushes • Hair trimmers, edgers Autoclave Note: UV light, glass-bead sterilizers, pressure cookers, microwaves, immersion in boiling water and domestic ovens are NOT APPROVED methods of sterilizing. 6% Hydrogen Peroxide 7% Stabilized Hydrogen Peroxide Follow manufacturer’s instructions • • Note: Alcohol above 90% is not recommended. 10 minutes 3% Hydrogen Peroxide Quaternary Ammonium Products • • 0.55% Orthophthaladehyde (OPA) 10 minutes 1:500 bleach dilution: 1 tsp. (5ml) 5.25% chlorine with 10 cups (2 ½ L) • Follow manufacturer’s instructions Clean all instruments, equipment and surfaces with detergent and water before disinfection or sterilization. Choose the higher level of disinfection if uncertain about the required level of disinfection. Refer to manufacturer’s instructions for proper dilution, contact time and material safety data sheet information. Use a permanent marker to label the bottle clearly with the chemical name and mixing instructions. Prepare a fresh chlorine and/or Barbicide solution daily. This ensures the maximum effectiveness of your disinfectant. Store your chemicals in a locked room or cupboard, to keep them out of the reach of children and customers. Provide test strips to verify the correct concentration of the chemical solution. Store disinfected and/or sterilized instruments in a manner that will prevent contamination. For pre-packaged sterile items: • Purchase from a reputable supplier. • Ensure each package is clearly marked with manufacturer’s method of sterilization and a batch/lot/code number. • Keep on site: records of purchases and a copy of manufacturer’s sterilization certificate. *Mucous membranes: eyes, nose, and mouth. Single use instruments, such as emery boards, hindostones, orange sticks, buffers, pumice stones, toe separators cannot be cleaned or disinfected. They must be discarded after each client. Region of Waterloo Public Health does not promote any specific brand of products. This chart represents examples of some of the products used in personal service settings and does not include an exhaustive list. This chart is designed to help you understand the different levels of disinfection, so that you can prevent infections. Source: Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Infection Prevention and Control Best Practices Personal Service Settings. Adapted with permission from York Region Health Services Department. April 2013 Region of Waterloo Public Health n www.regionofwaterloo.ca/ph n 519-575-4400 n TTY 519-575-4608 n Fax 519-883-2241