4 Disinfection/Sterilization
Immerse clean instruments
HOW TO USE CIDEX SOLUTIONS ®
Fhave
or over 40 years, CIDEX Solutions
®
been safely used by health care
professionals for the high level disinfec-
tion and sterilization of delicate heat-
sensitive instruments because of their
efficacy, materials compatibility, eco-
nomy and ease of use. Follow these
steps and refer to the specific CIDEX
Solution label and package insert for
complete instructions/information.
1 Don Personal Protective Equipment
Personal protective equip-
ment must always be worn
when handling contami-
nated instruments and
equipment. Personal protec-
tive equipment includes
disposable latex gloves, eye
3 Activate Solution
protection, face mask, and
liquid-proof gown. Once per-
sonal protective equipment
is donned, you are ready to
begin the disinfection/steril-
ization process.
2 Clean Instruments
The first step in the disinfection/sterilization process is
thorough cleaning.(a) Contaminated instruments must
be thoroughly cleaned prior to disinfection or steriliza-
tion since residual organic matter will decrease the
effectiveness of the CIDEX Solution.
To remove debris, thoroughly clean all instrument sur-
faces and the lumens of hollow instruments (e.g. endo-
scopes) with a mild protein dissolving detergent such
as ENZOL® Enzymatic Detergent.(b)
CIDEX Solutions are compatible with enzymatic deter-
gents (e.g. ENZOL Detergent) which are mild in pH, low
foaming, and easily rinsed from instruments. Detergents
that are either highly acid or alkaline are contraindi-
cated as cleaning agents since improper rinsing could
affect the efficacy of the CIDEX Solutions by altering
their pH.
(a) (b)
6 Dry
Dry the instruments. Dis-
completely in the CIDEX infected or sterilized equip-
Solution. ment should be used
immediately or stored in a
manner to minimize recon-
Following cleaning, rinse
instrument surfaces and
tamination. See package
insert for complete instruc-
lumens with large amounts tions/information on drying
flexible endoscopes when
of fresh water to remove
residual detergent. using potable water for
rinsing. Refer to the instru-
ment manufacturer’s label-
Fill all lumens of hollow ing for additional storage
instruments. and/or handling instructions.
7 Testing
It is important to note that
Remove excess moisture CIDEX Solutions may expire
from instrument prior to dis- prior to the reuse date stated
infecting or sterilizing. This on the label.† Do not rely
will help prevent water from solely on days in use. To
rapidly diluting the CIDEX determine if the MEC of the
Solution below its minimum CIDEX Solution is still
effective concentration (MEC). present, CIDEX Solutions
To reduce exposure to glu-
Refer to instrument manufac- must be tested prior to each
taraldehyde vapors which
turer’s labeling for additional use with the appropriate
can be irritating, cover the
instructions on disassembly, CIDEX Solution Test Strip.
CIDEX Solution tray or
decontamination, cleaning and bucket with a secure lid.
leak testing. 8 Disposal
Soak instruments for the
amount of time required for In compliance with the
Once the instruments have disinfection or sterilization. United States Environmen-
been properly cleaned, you See label and package insert tal Protection Agency re-
are now ready to begin using for complete instructions/ quirements, CIDEX Solutions
the CIDEX Solution. information on soak times may be disposed of as an
Prepare CIDEX Solution for and temperature for disin- ordinary domestic waste
use by first adding the en- fection and sterilization. rather than a hazardous
tire contents of the activator waste. However, some state
5 Rinsing Instruments regulatory and local water
vile to the solution in the
container. Shake well. Acti- For devices that have been board or sewer authorities
vated solution immediately sterilized: may have certain restric-
changes color to green, Remove instruments from tions on drain disposal of
thereby indicating the solu- solution using a sterile tech- specific wastes from your
tion is ready to use. nique and rinse thoroughly facility.
with sterile water. See package
Do not use activated solution beyond stated 14 or 28 insert for complete rinsing
day reuse life.
instructions/information.
NOTE: The activator contains a rust inhibitor. Do not For technical information on CIDEX Solutions, contact your local
add any other agent. Advanced Sterilization Products sales representative or call ASP
customer support at 1-888-783-7723.
Record the date of activation
(mixing date) and expiration For devices that have been
date in the space provided disinfected:
on the CIDEX Solution con- Remove instruments from
tainer label, in a log book, or solution and rinse thoroughly
on a label affixed to the with sterile water or potable
CIDEX Solution tray or any tap water. The quality of
secondary container. Log rinse water used is depen-
books are available with our dent on the intended use of
CIDEX Solution Information the instrument. See package
Station (Reorder #20251) or insert for complete rinsing
may be obtained through your instructions/information.
local Advanced Sterilization Refer to the instrument man-
Products sales representative. ufacturer’s labeling for addi-
tional rinsing instructions.
†
CIDEX Solutions label reuse claims are based on an EPA protocol which challenges the solution
three times per day in manual systems. Many health care workers challenge CIDEX Solutions Division of Ethicon, Inc.
more than three times per day or use CIDEX Solutions in scope washers. These practices cause dilution
of the solution prior to its stated use life. © ASP, 2004 Irvine, California 92618
AD-08742-001 Rev. B