Autoclave maintenance is extremely important to ensure the high standard required to keep the infection control within the steam sterilization process. A high quality two-stage water filtration system is ideal for this application.
In a hospital or doctor office the sterilization of surgical instruments is usually accomplished with an Autoclave Steam Sterilizer. The water feeding this system requires both a (RO) Reverse Osmosis filtration system for the highest quality water followed by a deionization post filter prior to the water entering the Autoclave.
Although stainless steel instruments are the most common, strict attention is still required when handling and sterilizing to ensure that their useful life is extended and so that they remain in the best condition possible and ready to be used at any time.
Reverse Osmosis and deionization filtration systems are superior to distilled water which can contain unwanted contaminants and is not always sterile. There are a number of important steps that should be followed during autoclave cleaning to ensure your Autoclave sterilization system is maintained perfectly and for optimal autoclave service.
Following use, instruments must be decontaminated and cleaned in either lukewarm or cold water to be sure that they don’t get stained and to remove any particles from joints and moving parts.
The instruments are then put into the steam autoclave sterilizer “dressing” drum ensuring that the steam holes are not obstructed. The drum is then placed into the Autoclave for sterilization. Place the lid on and tighten the locking bolts.
Once the pressure panel shows a minimum of 2 pounds pressure open the exhaust value and let the air escape. Once the pressure gets to around 15 pounds, the main safety valve should begin to let out the excess steam and continue to maintain an internal pressure of 15 pounds (1.05 kgf per sq cm).
In order to open the lid, turn the lid handle in the open direction until the arrows on the lid and the container are aligned. Once aligned, you can remove the lid. Before actually removing the items, leave the door open and let it de-vaporize for around 8-10 minutes.
Critical to successful sterilization during the sterilizing process, you must ensure that the air is not blocked and is able to be forced out the drain. If the items block this, the steam will not be able to reach all of the germs that you’re trying to destroy. If set properly the steam will surround the objects and force the air out, and in the process, kill any germs that are present.
Typically, an operating checklist should be followed and an operating log kept current so that it can be referred to for verification purposes if needed or to determine what may have happened if problems do occur.
Again, we want to emphasize the key ingredient in the autoclave sterilization process is an extremely high quality two-stage water filtration system that uses both a reverse osmosis system and a deionization post filter to feed the Autoclave steam sterilizer equipment.
PureWater Dynamics, here in Denver, is very experienced at setting up these water systems for the steam autoclave sterilizer at your facility.
NOTE: PureWater Dynamics DOES NOT provide, or service autoclaves or any other medical devices. Call 303-357-5269 today, to determine the best water service for your facility.