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Importance of enzymes in medical instrument cleaning

Importance of enzymes in medical instrument cleaning 

Published: September, 2025

Take a closer look at how enzymes can play a crucial role in enhancing patient outcomes 

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates surgical site infections (SSIs) represent ~17% of all hospital acquired infections, just behind urinary tract infections1. SSIs are infections that occur at or near a surgical incision within 30 days of a procedure. The CDC estimates that 500,000 cases of SSIs are recorded annually, leading to increased costs and worse patient outcomes across US healthcare. With ballooning costs of healthcare, alongside performance-based reimbursements, preventing these infections has become critical for hospital systems.  

$ 3.2
Billion USD
Estimated annual costs
of SSIs in the US2

Inadequate sterilization of medical instruments is a leading cause for SSIs. Hospitals have dedicated surgical technicians who are trained to maintain a sterile environment. However, these surgical technicians rely on cleaning chemistries and processes that ensure that all surgical instruments can be cleaned properly prior to sterilization. Improper cleaning of instruments leads to reprocessing and increased workloads

This is where building the right formulation can be of help. Surgical instruments, especially those used in invasive procedures, are contaminated with various organic soils such as blood, tissues, fats and other bodily fluids. If these soils are not completely removed from instruments, they can lead to reprocessing (or rewashing prior to sterilization), or in worst cases, can cause SSIs if not detected. 

Types of enzymes used in medical instrument cleaning3

  • Proteases: Breaks down proteins such as blood, tissue and mucus. Most essential in medical instrument cleaning
  • Amylase: Breaks down carbohydrates present in food or bodily fluids. Applications in post gastrointestinal surgery cleaning
  • Lipase: Breaks down fat residues, often from gastrointestinal, endoscopic or orthopedic procedures
  • Cellulase: Breaks down cellulose. Applications in post gastrointestinal surgery cleaning

Medical instrument cleaning (MIC) detergents use enzymes, such as protease, lipase, amylase and cellulase, to help break down surgical organic soils. By providing a thorough clean, enzymatic MIC detergents can help reduce reprocessing rates and enhance sterilization outcomes.  

BASF offers a comprehensive portfolio of enzymes that can enable MIC detergent manufacturers to deliver improved cleaning outcomes. For example, BASF’s Lavergy® Pro 106 L outperforms benchmark market proteases in removal of blood soils from TOSI strips within a 15 min soak. With proteinaceous soils being ubiquitous on medical instruments, enhanced protease performance could provide a significant competitive advantage to MIC detergent brands.  

Cleaning: 3% detergent @ T=30°C, soaking, no agitation:15min 

Lavergy® Pro 106 L delivers an improved cleaning on proteinaceous soils 

So, what are you waiting for? Reach out to your BASF representative and discover the Lavergy® difference.  

Sources 

  1. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  - see here

  2. Zimlichman E, Henderson D, Tamir O, et al. Health Care–Associated Infections: A Meta-analysis of Costs and Financial Impact on the US Health Care System. JAMA Intern Med. 2013;173(22):2039–2046. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.9763 - 2

  3. Versatility in Every Drop with XEN Enzymatic+ - see here