Prior to using an Ultrasonic Cleaner, which task must a technician perform?

Degassing is an essential task before using an Ultrasonic Cleaner because it ensures the effectiveness of the cleaning process. When an ultrasonic cleaner is filled with solution, microscopic air bubbles can be trapped within the liquid. These bubbles can hinder the cleaning action, as they can create a barrier between the solution and the objects being cleaned. By degassing the solution, the technician is removing these air bubbles, which allows for better cavitation, enhancing the ultrasonic waves’ ability to penetrate and clean surfaces effectively.

Performing this step maximizes the cleaner's efficiency, ensuring that instruments or items exposed to the ultrasonic cleaning process receive an even, thorough cleaning. This is particularly important in sterile processing, where the cleanliness of surgical instruments is paramount for patient safety.