Disinfecting Solution (Table 1.2)
• Alcohol (ethyle + isopropyle) 70 percent was the solution most widely used
• Recently of 0.5 percent chlorhexidine is widely used for emergency disinfection of surgical instruments requiring only 2 minutes immersion.
• Where instruments are left for longer periods or stored continuously, the addition of one tablet of sodium nitrite 1 g will prevent rusting. As the tablet dissolves over several days, another is added.
• The aldehydes (formaldehyde + glutaraldehyde) are powerful disinfectants and sterilizers. A solution containing 2 percent glutaraldehyde will disinfect instruments if they are soaked for 10 minutes, and sterilize if left soaking for 10 hours. The disadvantages are that the solution needs to be fresh, and it can cause staining if left on the skin.
Boiling
This is still the most widely used method of disinfecting instruments in the World;
• It is simple, quick and reasonably effective
• Will not destroy certain bacterial spores (tetanus, gas-gangrene) and certain viruses
• Normally, instruments are cleaned, and then boiled for 5 minutes (100 degree C or 212 degree F)
• A boiling water ‘sterilizer’ is badly named, because at a height of 3000 meters water boils at 90 degree C and is thus much less effective
• This method is obviously not suitable for dressings or drapes.
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