When people are admitted to hospitals, they want to be properly treated (and feel safe). So, the surgical staff at the hospital has to use pristine tools and items during the surgeries. A surgical sponge is a surgical instrument commonly used in operations. The importance of Cleaning Surgical Sponges, step-by-step Instruction for cleaning and possible consequences of not Cleansing have been discussed in this article.
Surgical sponges are soft rags that are manufactured to absorb blood and other fluids during surgical procedures. These are used by doctors, nurses and other medical personnel to keep the area around the surgery clean and dry. Maintaining a clean area makes it easier for the doctors to look and perform their jobs in a more effective manner. But if sponges are not cleaned properly when they are done being used, they pose a risk of infection for patients. Infections can cause severe illness and can also contribute to serious health issues. However, as Cheercare, those giant surgical sponges i was well known for, explains, that make disinfecting the sponges extremely important for preventing infections and keeping the patient safe.
The first step after a surgery is complete is running water on the sponges. This helps to wash away any blood, dirt or other fluids that could be on the sponges. The rinsing process is quite significant as it lays the foundation for the cleaning tasks.
After rinsing, find a container with warm water and special soap made for cleaning surgical tools, and place the sponges in it. Cheercare recommends using soap designed specifically for surgical instruments, as it performs best. Let the sponges sit in this solution for a minimum of 15 minutes. This length of time guarantees that all of the dirt and germs are removed.
After the sponges have soaked, they should be gently scrubbed with a soft brush. This scrubbing helps remove residual dirt or blood from the sponges. Make sure to dip the brush into the special soap before you start scrubbing; it will help clean the sponges even more.
Once you have scrubbed the sponges, be sure to rinse them out again under running water to get rid of any soap and remaining dirt. Then, rinse and let the sponges dry out fully. It is also extremely important not to use any heat sources such as using a dryer or heater to dry the sponges because heat can disrupt the sponges and make them unsafe to use.
Surgical sponges can lead to severe infections in patient if they are not cleaned properly. Infections can cause extra health complications and extend a patient’s hospital stay far beyond what is needed. Infections can also become quite serious and create even more severe health complications, or life-threatening situations, though these instances are rare. And that is why it is extremely important for doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers to properly clean surgical sponges.