Perioperative team members share the responsibility of providing quality, cost efficient, and safe care for patients undergoing surgical and/or invasive procedures. Surgical instruments, are intended and used for a wide range of procedures, requiring different types and styles of instruments. Delicate instruments such as ophthalmology, micro vascular, and micro neuro and heavy instruments such as mallets and large bone reamers are cleaned in the same area and may be used on a single patient. Team members are challenged to protect all instruments from damage during use, transporting, cleaning, packaging, and sterilization on a daily basis. Surgical instruments also represent a major dollar investment for a facility. The primary goal regarding surgical instruments is that they are patient ready (ie, in good working order, clean, sterilized). Operating room and central service department (CSD) personnel must understand that instruments which are not properly cleaned and sterilized can lead to patient injury and infection. Both hospital-acquired conditions can result in permanent tissue damage and potentially even death. Therefore, the overall “health” of surgical instruments is a key component in providing safe patient care and in protecting a facility’s investment. Personnel can effectively maintain overall instrument health through proper care, cleaning, sterilization, and handling. This continuing education activity will provide an overview of the clinical considerations related to proper care and handling of surgical instrumentation to protect their overall health, reduce the risk of infection, and subsequently promote safe patient care. It will provide a brief review of the implications of surgical site infections today, including the role of appropriate cleaning and sterilization of instruments as a risk reduction measure. The steps in instrument care, cleaning, and handling, according to current guidelines and professional recommendations will also be outlined.