How to Sterilize Medical Equipment in the Field
One of the biggest challenges associated with rendering first aid in the field is keeping wounds clean in order to minimize the chances of infection. Fortunately, there are a few different techniques that you can use to kill germs and make medical safe to use. Let’s look at some of the more practical solutions that you can take advantage of during a crisis in order to protect the patient as much as possible.
Boiling Water
Placing medical equipment into a pot of boiling water and allowing it to “cook” for at least 30 minutes will kill off the majority of impurities and microorganisms that can cause infections later on. However, it’s important to note that this method will not kill everything off, particularly if the water itself contains compounds that are not destroyed by heat. This is why it’s so important to use the purest and cleanest water you can find. Another limitation to boiling is that it can lead to rusting, particularly with sharp or pointy tools such as scissors, knives or scalpels. You can reduce this problem by drying and coating the items with a little bit of oil until they are needed again.
Bleach
Medical professionals are cautioned not to rely on bleach to sterilize stainless steel tools due to the fact that bleach can cause pitting, or the corrosion of microscopic crevices. However, in the field, bleach can be a viable option to consider as it does kill a wide-range of germs. Soak the items in bleach for 15 minutes before rinsing with purified or distilled water and drying with a sterile gauze or bandage pad.
Alcohol
Pour 70% or greater isopropyl alcohol into a bowl or tray and place the instruments inside. Allow them to soak for up to 20 minutes before igniting the alcohol and allowing it to burn off. This combination provides a one-two punch that can provide an extra layer of defense to kill off microorganisms. Cover the instruments with a clean cloth until they have cooled to the touch and are ready for use.
Oven
If you have access to power, gas and an oven, you can use heat to kill off microbes and a wide-range of contaminants. Place the tools on a clean baking sheet and put it into an oven that has been preheated to a temperature of at least 400 degrees. Bake for 30 minutes before turning off the heat and allowing the items to cool inside of the oven to prevent contamination prior to use. You can also cook the items at a lower temperature, say around 325 degrees for 2 hours as well.
Keep in mind that these options are intended to be used in the field under emergency conditions. They do not provide the same level of protection against infection as the methods used in hospitals and doctors offices. However, during a crisis, these may be the best options to consider as you try to render aid under difficult circumstances.
