Standard Practice for Care and Handling of Orthopedic Implants and Instruments

This practice covers recommended procedures for the handling of orthopedic implants and instruments. Hospital receiving personnel, central supply personnel, operating room personnel, surgeons, and occasionally other individuals will handle orthopedic implants and instruments. All personnel should be informed of recommended care and handling procedures to prevent damage of orthopedic implants and instruments. Many implants are wrapped in special sterilizable or pre-sterilized packages, envelopes, or other containers. These wrappings should not be removed by the receiving personnel. Perform transport in a manner to preclude any damage or alteration to the received condition of the implant or instrument. Store implants or instruments prior to use in such a manner as to maintain the device's surface finish or configuration, or both. Maintain orthopedic implants and instruments of different metals separately to avoid the possibility of mixing during surgery. Prior to initial sterilization and promptly following each surgical procedure, thoroughly and carefully clean all instruments and implants. Dispose of orthopedic implants that exhibit surface or configuration damage. Avoid the reimplantation of previously implanted orthopedic implants.