What should be done with instruments after the cleaning step?

After the cleaning step, instruments should be packaged for sterilization to ensure that they are protected from contamination during the sterilization process. This step is crucial because it involved properly handling and securing the cleaned instruments to prevent any recontamination before they are subjected to heat or chemical sterilization methods. Proper packaging also allows for easier identification of the contents, and it maintains the sterility once the instruments have been sterilized. This procedure is vital in infection control within a dental practice, as it helps to prevent the transmission of pathogens.

Storing cleaned instruments without packaging them may lead to contamination, while discarding them after cleaning would not be practical or cost-effective for a dental practice. Using cleaned but unsterilized instruments directly poses a significant risk of infection, as they have not undergone the necessary sterilization procedures to eliminate any remaining microorganisms. Therefore, packaging for sterilization is the appropriate and essential next step in the infection control protocol.