Instruments that are still damp or wet after being sterilized cannot be placed in storage. The moisture that remains on or inside of a package can create a pathway for microorganisms to travel from the outside to the inside of the package. Moisture may be in the form of visible dampness, droplets, or puddles of water on or within a pack, and any instruments stored in a damp condition are vulnerable to rust. Any time a wet pack occurs, the instruments are contaminated and need to be reprocessed prior to use.
