When cleansing an instrument, when should you lubricate it?

When cleansing an instrument, lubricating it after disinfection and before sterilization is crucial to ensure that the instrument functions properly after being sterilized. Disinfection removes the majority of microorganisms from the surface, preparing the instrument for the next step, which is sterilization. Applying lubricant at this point helps protect moving parts, reduces friction, and prevents corrosion during the sterilization process and the subsequent storage.

Lubrication at this stage enhances the instrument's longevity and efficiency, which is vital in a clinical setting where tools must be in optimal condition. If lubrication were done before disinfection, there’s a risk that the disinfectant solutions may not effectively access and eliminate all contaminants prior to sterilization. Similarly, applying lubricant after sterilization could compromise the sterility of the instrument, as it may introduce unwanted substances. Thus, timing the lubrication precisely between disinfection and sterilization is the best practice for maintaining instrument quality and safety.