If an autoclave bag is found to be punctured, what should be done?

When an autoclave bag is found to be punctured, the paramount concern is ensuring that the contents, typically sterile instruments, maintain sterility. Options like sealing the bag with tape or changing the expiration date do not effectively address the issue, as they do not ensure that the instruments inside remain uncontaminated.

Instruments that are placed in a punctured bag run the risk of being exposed to contaminants, negating the benefits of the sterilization process. Therefore, the appropriate course of action is to remove the compromised instruments from the punctured bag. They should be cleaned thoroughly if necessary, re-wrapped in new, intact bags, and subjected to the sterilization process again in the autoclave. This procedure guarantees that the instruments are properly sterilized and safe for use, adhering to infection control protocols and best practices in dental care to ensure patient safety.