What is the shelf-life of sterilized instruments?
Sterilized instruments should be stored in a manner that preserves the integrity of the packaging material. Storage practices can be either date- or event-related. Although some facilities continue to date every sterilized package and use shelf-life practices (first in, first out), other facilities have switched to event-related practices. This approach recognizes that the product should remain sterile until some event causes the item to become contaminated (e.g., a package becomes torn or wet). The quality of the packaging material, the conditions under which items are stored and transported, and the amount that they are handled all affect the chances that the package and its contents will remain sterile. All packages containing sterile items should be inspected before use to verify barrier integrity and dryness. Any package that is wet, torn, dropped on the floor, or damaged in any way should not be used. The instruments should be recleaned, packaged in new wrap, and sterilized again
