Packaging materials such as your pouches or wrapped packs allow penetration of instruments, maintain sterility of the processed item after sterilization. Packaging materials should be designed for the type of sterilization process being used and should be appropriate for the items being sterilized. Sterile instruments and supplies should be stored in covered or closed cabinets. Please be sure to never remove items from the sterilization pouches until they are ready for use, this will result in premature contamination of your instruments. If instruments are removed from pouches prior to use, you cannot ensure that the instrument will remain clean and if it is not clean it certainly isn’t sterile. 

Instruments and supplies should not be stored under sinks or in other places where they might   become wet. Sterile packages should be inspected before opening and used to ensure that the packaging has not been compromised (i.e., wet, torn, or punctured) during storage. If you find that the integrity of the pouch has been compromised, please swap this pouch for another one, as you cannot ensure that the damaged pouch has not been contaminated with any sort of pathogenic microorganisms. If you find that an instrument needs to be re-cleaned, the instruments need to be handled as though they are contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious material. Because of this, the instrument will need to be re-scrubbed, placed in the ultrasonic cleaner, packaged in a new wrap, and re-sterilized.

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). Because of this, it is important to know the shelf life for the specific packs/ pouches that you are utilizing, as not all expiration dates are the same. As always, check with the manufacturer to determine the shelf life of the product you are using.