Maintenance & Care

All of Fortec International Inc. stainless steel products are corrosion resistant, however over time they are susceptible to discolouration, staining and/or corroding if higher than recommended concentrations of chemicals are used in the cleaning process.

The following list of chemicals should not be used with any stainless steel products:

 
 ♦ Aluminum Chloride ♦ Barium Chloride ♦ Bichloride of Mercury   
 ♦ Calcium Chloride ♦ Carbolic Acid ♦ Chlorinated Lime ♦ Citric Acid   
 ♦ Ferrous Chloride ♦ Lysol ♦ Mercuric Chloride ♦ Mercury Salts ♦ Phenol   
 ♦ Potassium Permanganate ♦ Potassium Thiocyanate   
 ♦ Sodium Hypochlorite ♦ Stannous Chloride  
     
 
 Never Use the Following Chemicals on Stainless Steel:
 
  ♦ Aqua Regia ♦ Ferric Chloride ♦ Hydrochloric Acid  
 ♦ Iodine ♦ Sulfuric Acid  
     
 

 Sterilization Instructions for Stainless Steel Products

 
 Soaking and prewash

Manual prewash – Cleaning should be done in a sink specifically reserved for this purpose. Instruments should be soaked for ten minutes in a surgical pre-soak to remove blood and debris. A nylon brush may be used to assist in removing debris and foreign substances. Items should be immersed in cleaning solution and scrubbed below the water’s surface, then rinsed and dried.

NOTE: Do NOT use any tools to aid in the cleaning and removal of any foreign substance such as wire brushes, steel wool, etc.

Mechanical prewash – A thermal washer disinfector or ultrasonic bath may be used to prewash tools following manufacturer’s instructions prior to sterilization.

Sterilization

Dried, prewashed items should be properly packaged into sterilization bags or sterilization cassettes before being placed in sterilization unit. Items should be sterilized using steam, heat, or chemical process. Items should be sterilized in a government approved heat sterilization unit as per the manufacturer’s directions for that sterilizer. 

Storage

Store sterilized items in their intact packaging in a dry and secure area. If the packaging gets wet, tears or is damaged in some way, the items contained there in must be put through the sterilization process again.

Hinged Instruments

Hinged instruments should be sterilized in the open position. After every sterilization, lubricate all hinged products with a silicone-based lubricant. Use of a lubricant instrument spray will help prevent rust, stiffness and corrosion and ensure ease of operation and prolonged life.