Instrument cleaning update

Clinically, the benefit of the washer disinfector is that it is able to properly clean instruments prior to sterilization, whereas manual cleaning is rarely done effectively or consistently and cannot be satisfactorily validated. As regards the efficacy of washer disinfectors, the validation process ensures instruments are being cleaned effectively and the washer disinfector is checked on a regular basis. There are daily and weekly user checks that should be carried out which will ensure each cycle is effective and compliant. These include protein testing that will show by colour any contamination of instruments. Regular use of this simple test will show if the washer disinfector is working effectively or not, and should give the user confidence. Conversely, how can you prove with manual cleaning each instrument is going through the same consistent and effective process when the procedure is so open to human error and inconsistency? How can the risks of sharps injury be properly mitigated in such a process?