MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS AND EQUIPMENT

STERILE PROCEDURES

A central sterile supply department is provided in most modern hospitals. The basic equipment for
sterile procedures is obtained in sterile packs from the CSSD. Disposable equipment is often
contained in these packs, and, after use, discarded. Non-disposable equipment is sent back to the
CSSD for re-sterilization.

The following items are normally included in the basic dressing pack: four cotton wool swabs, two
dressing towels, four pieces of folded gauze and two gallipots. Sometimes the necessary surgical
instruments are included in the dressing pack, sometimes they are supplied in separate packs. A
pair of scissors and four pairs of plain dressing forceps are generally needed for ward dressings.

THE DRESSING TROLLEY AND HOW IT IS PREPARED

The trolley is washed with soap and water or mopped with an antiseptic such as Sudol. It is then
dried. The sterile equipment is put on the top shelf, and the unsterile equipment is put on the
bottom shelf.

Top shelf:

·        Sterile pack or bowl containing dressings

·        Sterile gallipots

·        Sterile pack or box containing instruments

·        Jar or cylinder containing instrument handling forceps

Bottom shelf:

·        Bandage tray

·        Bottles containing antiseptics

·        Jar or cylinder for used instruments

·        Paper container for soiled dressings

SOME ITEMS FROM THE DRESSING TROLLEY

Cheatle’s forceps are used for handling sterile instruments. They are sterilized by boiling and
placed in a jar containing a suitable disinfectant. The blades and the lower halves of the handles
are immersed in the disinfectant. The bandage tray contains a selection of bandages, adhesive
strapping, Nobecutane, a pair of bandage scissors, safety pins and bandage clips.

The lotion bottles contain Cetrimide  or Hibitane for cleaning the skin, and methylated  ether for
removing Nobecutane or marks left by adhesive tape. The jar for used instruments contains a
suitable disinfectant. Lysol 1 in 40 is often used.

If stitches are to be removed, a pair of sterile suture scissors is added to the basic dressing
equipment. If clips are to be removed, a pair of sterile clip-removing forceps is added.


EXERCISE: Match.

1. A wound probe and sinus forceps are used for

2. Cheatle’s forceps are used for

3. Artery forceps are used for

4. A syringe and needle are used for

5. Bandage scissors are used for

6. Dissecting forceps are used for

7. Suture scissors are used for

8. Clip-removing forceps are used for

9. A thermometer is used for

10.A sphygmomanometer is used for

11.A stethoscope is used for

                                               A. removing clips.

                                               B. taking out stitches.

                                               C. cutting bandages.

                                               D. listening to the sound of heartbeat.

                                               E. handling sterile dressings.

                                               F. measuring blood pressure.

                                               G. taking temperature.

                                               H. handling sterile instruments.

                                               I. stopping bleeding.

                                               J. giving injections.

                                               K. exploring a wound.



Adapted from:

http://www.science-laboratory-equipment.com/medical-instruments.htm