What is the recommended step for managing instruments after treating a patient with hepatitis B?

The appropriate method for managing instruments after treating a patient with hepatitis B is to sterilize, scrub, and then sterilize again. This approach ensures that any potentially infectious material is effectively removed and that the instruments are completely sterile before being reused.

The process typically involves scrubbing the instruments to physically remove any blood, saliva, or other contaminants. This is crucial because if organic material is left on the instruments, it can shield microorganisms from the effects of the sterilization process, making the sterilization less effective. Once cleaned, instruments should undergo a sterilization process using methods such as autoclaving, which uses high-pressure steam to eliminate all forms of microbial life.

This method not only adheres to infection control guidelines recommended by health authorities but also assures that instruments are safe for use on subsequent patients, thus preventing the potential transmission of hepatitis B and other infectious diseases.