Initial treatment at point of use

Initial treatment at point of use

Initial treatment of reusable medical devices needs to occur immediately after use at the point of use. This ensures that visible soiling is removed before it dries, which facilitates effective reprocessing.

• Initial treatment generally involves wiping with a damp or dry low-lint or lint-free disposable cloth (for example, non-woven gauze), or, if necessary, using a TGA-registered instrument pre-cleaning product
• After initial treatment, devices need to be transported promptly to the reprocessing area in a cleanable, sealable, puncture- and leak-resistant container dedicated to this purpose.

Key timeframe guidance:

• The interval between use and reprocessing should be as short as possible, ideally within 1 hour, and never longer than 4 hours.
• If unavoidable delays occur, devices that have undergone initial treatment may be held in a suitable, labelled container. They should be covered with a TGA-registered instrument pre-cleaning product that is compatible with metals and plastics and used according to the manufacturer’s maximum holding time.

Do not:

• Leave devices in detergent solution for later cleaning.
• Hold devices overnight for later cleaning.