Steel Surgical

Your Guide to figuring out if Your Surgical Instrument is Rusted or Stained

Stains can be removed but rust can leave permanent (pitting) long lasting effect on a medical instrument. So how do you know if a orangish-brown color is a stain or rust, use the eraser test. Simply rub an eraser over the discoloration until it is removed and the metal on the surface is clean and smooth, this is a stain. but, if the discoloration is removed with the pencil eraser and a pit mark shows under the discoloration, this is corrosion, which will continually rust.

Troubleshooting Stain Guide: Orange/Brown Stains – Most people think that when they see orange/brown stains that it’s rust. When this stain color appears as a result of PH surface deposits, it is a result of any of the following: improper soaps and detergents, cold sterilization solution, possibly baked-on blood, soaking in saline or using laundry soap, Chlorhexidine usage,. Dark Brown/Black Stains – If it’s a low PH usually under six, then its an acid stain. it may be caused by improper detergents and soaps and/or dried blood. Bluish Black Stains – When various metals are ultrasonically pushed together this is called reverse planting. What this means is when you have a stainless steel surgical instrument sets preced with chrome surgical instruments it will cause a stain color reaction. Exposure to saline, blood or potassium chloride will cause this bluish-black stain to occur. Multicolor Stains – Excessive heat by a localized “hot spot” in the processing cycle. Light and Dark Spots – When you allow forceps to air-dry. When the water that is left on the surgical instruments begins to air-dry then the minerals like sodium, calcium and magnesium are left on instrument’s surface.

Bluish Gray Stains – This happens whenever cold sterilization is being used outside a manufactuer guidelines. Dark Stains – Whenever amonia is present.

About the Author

This “surgical instruments” article is by Matt B

Surgical Steel