The attention to detail that’s required to properly care for the tools of surgery takes on even greater importance when microsurgical instrumentation is involved. Proper care and regular maintenance extend the longevity of these delicate tools and ensure they perform as intended for the duration of their lifespan. This demands a partnership between members of the surgical team and instrument reprocessing techs, according to Susan Klacik, BS, CRCST, CIS, ACE, CHL, FCS, a clinical educator at the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) in Chicago. “Surgical team members should place delicate instruments on the top of heavier items to limit the risk of damage during transport to the sterile processing department (SPD), and reprocessing techs should give the surgical team confidence that the instruments they use will be in prime condition,” she says.