Checking the Cleanliness of Surgical Instruments Using the Adenosine Triphosphate-Bioluminescence Assay

Abstract

Purpose: Cleaning is crucial for reprocessing reusable surgical instruments (RSIs). In this study, we used the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence method to assess the cleanliness of RSIs according to the cleaning method used.Methods: From April 3 to June 2, 2023, surgical sets, including hemostatic forceps, needle holders, operating scissors, dressing forceps, and suction tubes, that arrived at the decontamination room in the central sterile supply department of one general hospital were selected through convenience sampling. For each of the three cleaning processes, 30 cleaned RSIs were sampled with test swabs for inspection, and the relative light unit value was measured using ATP test equipment.Results: Suction tubes, hemostatic forceps, and needle holders ranked low in cleanliness (<i>x</i><sup>2</sup>=11.69, <i>p</i>=.020), and the contamination rate after mechanical cleaning was significantly lower than that after manual cleaning (<i>x</i><sup>2</sup>=31.34, <i>p</i><.001).Conclusion: Surgical instruments treated by manual processing and those containing tubes were associated with the low cleanliness. Therefore, it is necessary to check whether surgical instruments, including tubes, are manually washed at an appropriate level, and regular monitoring will be required.