Concentrates and ready-to-use solutions for safe instrument disinfection

Instrument cleaning and maintenance play a highly important role in podiatry. To ensure effective and safe treatment for your patients, it is essential to clean and maintain all instruments and equipment used in a professional manner. Not only does this minimise the risk of infection, but proper care of instruments and consumables also extends their service life and functionality thanks to proper care.

Correct cleaning and maintenance of podiatry equipment and instruments

Most instruments used in podiatry treatments are made of stainless steel or other similarly robust and durable materials, such as plastic or silicone. What they all have in common is that they can be cleaned easily and hygienically.

Depending on the specific material properties, different tools and products are used to clean instruments and to maintain consumables. Adherence to a specific hygiene routine – that is, a fixed sequence of various cleaning and maintenance steps – is of the utmost importance. Correct cleaning and disinfection not only optimises the durability and service life of the instruments, but also the safety of both patients and practitioners.

An initial basic clean removes coarse dirt

The first step in instrument cleaning is the removal of dirt, dust, skin particles and other contaminants. A special instrument brush can be used for this, for example. The brush’s soft, long bristles are ideal for adapting to the shape of the instrument being cleaned and reliably remove loose dirt. It is essential that you wear suitable protective equipment, along with protective gloves and a face mask, to minimise the risk of potential infection.

You can pre-clean your instruments either without the use of special cleaning agents or in conjunction with a suitable product. When brushing the instruments or devices, you should always work away from your body. Do not use pointed or sharp-edged objects, as these could damage the instruments.

Further reprocessing of instruments

Depending on an instrument’s risk classification, pre-cleaning is followed by individual reprocessing tailored to the subsequent treatment, using the appropriate cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation processes. A distinction can be made here between manual and machine-based reprocessing. The ultrasonic bath can be used for manual reprocessing and has been filled with a cleaning and disinfectant solution. The ultrasonic waves loosen dirt and shorten the contact time of the disinfectant (please refer to the label to get details).

After thorough rinsing under running tap water, the instruments can then be dried with disposable cloths.

However, machine reprocessing is preferable to manual cleaning due to the better and more reliable cleaning results it achieves. An important tool in this process is the washer-disinfector (WD), which handles cleaning, disinfection and drying. For the sterilisation of instruments, suitable options include the autoclave, a steam steriliser with subsequent drying, or the hot-air steriliser, which kills germs and microorganisms using dry hot air.

Protects, lubricates and maintains: Instrument care oil as a practical addition to your cleaning routine

Another important component of instrument care is the regular use of care oil. Care oil protects podiatry instruments from moisture and prevents corrosion and rust formation. Ensure that you only use oils specifically designed for use in podiatry. These are usually odourless and contain no harmful substances, making them physiologically safe and environmentally friendly. Yet a special instrument care oil guarantees unrestricted sterilisation effectiveness, meaning that the oil does not interfere with the disinfection of the equipment.

Because safety comes first: Regular maintenance of podiatry instruments and equipment

Besides using consumables for care and cleaning, it is also important that podiatry equipment and instruments are regularly maintained. During a service, defects or signs of wear can be discovered early and rectified before they lead to more serious problems. This allows you to make your daily work life even safer and more efficient and provide your clients optimum treatment results.

Regular service for Podiatry Drills and instruments can extend their service life and help to preserve their functionality. It is essential that you follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. As a general rule, podiatry instruments should never be exposed to excessive pressure or significant fluctuations in temperature and humidity. It is also not advisable to store them in direct contact with other instruments, as this can have the effect of causing scratches or other damage.

It is best to thoroughly inspect your instruments for damage or signs of wear after each cleaning. Then you can ensure that the device is fully functional and achieves optimum results before the next use.