What is the preferred method for cleaning surgical instruments?

The preferred method for cleaning surgical instruments is manual cleaning followed by sterilization. This approach ensures that any organic material, blood, or other contaminants are effectively removed from the instruments before they are subjected to the sterilization process. Manual cleaning allows for a thorough inspection of each instrument, enabling technicians to identify any damage or residual debris that may not be removed adequately through other methods like automated washing or ultrasonic cleaning alone.

While automated washing and ultrasonic cleaning are useful tools in the cleaning process, they can sometimes miss specific areas of contamination or not provide the thoroughness required for certain intricate instruments. Additionally, chemical disinfectants may help in reducing microbial load, but they do not replace the need for physical cleaning to remove all visible soil and bio-burden.

The combination of manual cleaning followed by sterilization provides the best assurance of instrument safety and effectiveness in a surgical setting.