Why Stainless Steel is Still the Best Material Choice for Operating Rooms

Stainless steel has been a staple material in operating rooms since its inception 110 years ago. Harry Brearley of the U.K. found that when he mixed iron with chromium, the material produced would not rust. Shortly after his discovery, surgical instruments made of stainless steel began appearing in operating theaters. 

Today, stainless steel is still the best material for operating rooms, medical equipment and instruments, utility carts, storage cabinets, and surfaces. Read on for a list of reasons why stainless steel is the preferred choice for high-risk healthcare settings. 

Stainless steel is easy to clean

When choosing surfaces for patient care areas, the International Health Facility Guidelines (iHFG) recommend materials that: 

• do not attract dust or moisture,
• are easy to clean,
• are sealed or seamless, 
• are impermeable, and
• are smooth.

Infection control is the driving concern when choosing materials for use in healthcare settings. Stainless steel meets all of their criteria and more.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that one out of every 31 patients admitted to the hospital will develop an infection due to being hospitalized.

Good hand-washing and basic infection control practices can prevent many infections. However, hospital surfaces, such as casework and cabinets, work areas, and medical carts, can contribute to the spread of disease-causing organisms. 

Over time, some surfaces can become difficult to clean. Many materials–such as plastic–degrade, crack, or discolor with repeated disinfection. Degrading surfaces may develop peeling, cracks, or micro-scratches that are invisible to the naked eye. Pathogens and biofilm can infiltrate cracks and micro-scratches and hide under peeling layers, making removing the infectious material difficult, if not impossible. 

Stainless steel is easy to clean, whether it is new or has been in use for years.  

In 2017, Team Stainless asked Manchester Metropolitan University and AgroParis Tech to study whether older stainless steel could be disinfected to the same degree as new stainless steel. Researchers found that after contaminating new and aged pieces of stainless steel with Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the disinfection effectiveness rates were the same across all samples.  

Stainless steel can withstand sterilization

Hospitals rely on various sterilization methods to ensure the safety of stainless steel devices, instruments, and equipment.  

Stainless steel is undamaged by most sterilization processes, including steam, heat, gas, and irradiation. This property makes stainless steel a preferred choice when purchasing for longevity. 

In addition, unlike plastics, stainless steel has a high melting point and will not warp or melt when subjected to high-heat sterilization. 

Stainless steel is not magnetic

Stainless steel used in healthcare settings contains a high percentage of nickel. Nickel makes stainless steel non-magnetic, a helpful property in an environment where magnets are used in many surgeries and procedures.

While magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most common use of magnets, surgeons use magnets in many surgical procedures. From tracking the location of catheter tips and tubes to connecting two ends of the gastrointestinal system, magnets in the OR have proved invaluable to modern medical procedures. 

Magnetic metals in the OR could cause magnets to move or migrate. Using non-magnetic metals in the OR prevents the unintentional movement of magnets and keeps magnets from sticking to surfaces.

Stainless steel is strong and durable

Fast-paced hospital environments are no match for stainless steel. Stainless steel is a hardened alloy that resists breaking or cracking from drops or tossed surgical instruments. 

Thin stainless steel sheets are as strong as thicker sheets, allowing manufacturers to use less material while delivering the same hardness and durability. 

Stainless steel is also self-healing, contributing to its strength and longevity.  

Stainless steel used in healthcare contains at least 10.5% chromium. When the chromium in stainless steel is exposed to oxygen, it forms a passive, nonporous film on the surface that resists corrosion. 

If the stainless steel product is scratched, the exposed chromium will instantly oxidize if oxygen is present and fill the scratches with a layer of chromium oxide. As long as the stainless steel is in an oxygen-filled environment, it will continue to resist rust. 

Stainless steel is a durable, inert material that has stood the test of time. Hygienic, non-magnetic, and damage-resistant properties make stainless steel a cost-effective investment over its usable lifespan. Once it is ready for the scrap heap, stainless steel is infinitely recyclable, making it a sustainable choice in today’s world. 

Consider purchasing durable stainless steel medical cabinets, such as the InnerSpace Evolve Architectural cabinets and Flexcell Series casework. Contact an InnerSpace customer service representative or find your dedicated territory manager today for more information on our stainless steel options. 

——–

Additional Article References:

• https://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=8307
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0195670124001695
• https://us.vwr.com/cms/tech-article-sterilizing-fittings
• https://terpconnect.umd.edu/~wbreslyn/magnets/is-stainlesssteel-magnetic.html
• https://www.worldstainless.org/Files/issf/non-image-files/PDF/Euro_Inox/WhenHealthComesFirst_EN.pdf