One afternoon in November 2023, we received a call from the operating room informing us that an emergency surgery patient's infectious disease test result was HIV-positive, and the teachers of the Sterilization and Supply Center had a heated discussion on how to deal with HIV-positive surgical instruments.
So how should surgical instruments used by HIV-positive patients be handled?
First of all, let's first recognize the HIV virus.
HIV: human immunodeficiency virus, belongs to the lipophilic virus, in the external environment of the ability to survive is weak, sensitive to heat, 56 ℃ for 30 minutes can make HIV in vitro on the human T lymphocytes to lose infectious, 100 ℃ 20 minutes can be completely inactivated. Sensitive to disinfectants and decontaminants, general disinfectants such as tincture of iodine, peroxyacetic acid, glutaraldehyde, sodium hypochlorite, etc. have good inactivation effect on HIV.
After understanding the viral characteristics of HIV, there is no need to worry too much when we deal with this kind of equipment. Simply follow the standard precautionary procedure of cleaning and then disinfecting the equipment with proper occupational safety precautions.
What is Standard Precautions?
Standard precautions are a set of infection prevention measures for all patients and healthcare workers in a hospital. It includes hand hygiene, the use of gloves, gowns, masks, goggles or face shields depending on the expected exposure, and safe injections. It also includes wearing appropriate protective gear for handling contaminated items and medical equipment in the patient's environment.   
Standard precautions are based on the principle that the patient's blood, body fluids, secretions (excluding sweat), and incomplete skin and mucous membranes may contain infectious agents.