Needs Statement
All personnel handling instruments must protect them from abuse and damage. Instruments must always be clean, functional and sterile when needed. Proper use, handling, cleaning, sterilization and maintenance can keep instruments in good working order for many years. The purpose of this continuing education activity is to provide the reader with a review of the instrument care and cleaning protocols that should be used in the ambulatory surgery center and hospital outpatient department.

Accreditation Statements
Nurse: This continuing nursing education activity was approved by the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses, Inc., an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. Activities that are approved by AORN are recognized as continuing education for registered nurses. This recognition does not imply that AORN or the ANCC Commission on Accreditation approves or endorses any product included in the presentation.

Target Audience
This activity is intended for physician-owners of outpatient facilities and administrators, medical directors and clinical staff of ambulatory surgery centers, office surgery suites or hospital outpatient departments.

Estimated Time of Completion
This activity should take approximately 60 minutes to complete.

Method of Participation
There is a $10 fee for participating in and receiving credit for this activity. The participant should, in order, read the objectives and article and answer the multiple-choice post-test. Complete the test online at www.outpatientsurgery.net; or complete the answer sheet with registration and evaluation on page 65 and mail it to: Outpatient Surgery Magazine, 2710 Yorktowne Blvd., Brick, NJ 08723-9905; or fax it to (732) 255-2926. Statements of participation will be mailed/e-mailed approximately four weeks after receipt of test submissions. A score of at least 70% is required to successfully complete this program. One retake is allowed. The corrected answer sheet will be provided for comparison with course information. Credit is available through August 2008. Please submit the post-test only once for this activity to receive a statement of participation. Multiple statements will not be issued.

Learning Objectives
1. Describe various qualities of surgical instruments.
2. Describe methods for handling instruments during cleaning processes.
3. Identify key functionality testing of instruments.

Medical Writer:
Nancy Chobin, RN, AAS, ACSP, CSPDM
Director
Medical Center Education Services
Affiliate of the Saint Barnabas Health Care System
Livingston, N.J.
Disclosure: Has no financial interest.

Nurse Planners:
Ann Geier, RN, MS, CNOR, CASC
Disclosure: Has no financial interest.

Terri Matthews, RN, CPSDM, CNOR
Disclosure: Has no financial interest.

Beverly Kirchner, RN, BSN, CNOR, CASC
Disclosure: Has no financial interest.

CNE approval provided by AORN.