Cleaning is the most important step in reprocessing. It is impossible to
effectively disinfect or even sterilize an inadequately cleaned instrument.
Pre-Cleaning
Bedside cleaning and the manual cleaning steps with flushing and brushing
of the entire channel systems are the most important steps for the removal
of debris, blood, and body fluids.
Remaining protein debris can become fixed by drying or by the use of
inappropriate chemicals. Biofilm formation is possible if the cleaning and
rinsing steps have not been carried out correctly.