OVERVIEW
Dynamic air removal stream sterilizer (Pre -Vaccum) is a high volume processing of heat and moisture. Stable materials such as fabrics and wrapped hard goods
NORMAL CYCLE
Conditioning (Air removal); At the beginning when the door closed, the doors gasket forms and maintains a high seal to prevent steam from escaping air from entering.
Exposure(Sterilization);As steam continues to enter the sterilizer chamber that is now a closed space. The pressure begins to rise as does the steam temperature. After the needed temperature is reached the sterilizers control system begins timing the cycles exposure phase.
Exhaust; At the end of the exposure phase, the chambers drain is opened and the steam is removed through the discharge line.
Drying; The drying begins at the end of the exhaust phase when packaged items are in the load, if not the contents will be wet and they will be considered contaminated.
MONITORING FUNCTIONS
Physical monitoring of the machine
Bowie Dick Test(D.A.R.T)-It is used to detect air leaks and identify ineffective air removal.It is the first test done at the beginning of the day,on an empty load.Above the drain on the bottom shelf ( the coolest part of the machine).
Leak Test- In this cycle, the sterilizer automatically checks for vacuum leaks in the piping and door seal.It is used for testing the vacuum integrity of the sterilizer. A vacuum leak test cycle should be run on the sterilizer at least once a week, it should be one of the first cycles run for the day.
Biological Monitoring-BI test packs are processed to ensure that microorganisms contained in the pack are really dead.The spore that should be used for this testing is Geo-bacillus stea rothemophiles.BI done in a full load-once a day.
Chemical monitoring-Gives immediate visual assurance that the item has been through the sterilization process.Eg: Autoclave tape/chemical indicators.
Mechanical Monitoring- Machine print out, gives assurance that all parameters were met:Temperature 270F,Exposure time 4 min. Drying Time 30 min
TROUBLE SHOOTING
- Wet packs - Incorrect loading of the sterilizer.
- Incorrect packing materials or method
- Sets of trays are to heavy
CAUTION:
- wrapping instrument trays to loosely will cause the instruments inside to move around to much
- wrapping instrument trays too tightly will cause strike through
- peel pouches must be sealed properly, arranged paper to plastic never plastic to plastic or paper to paper when loading them for sterilization, this will not allow proper penetration of steam sterilization and will cause moisture build up in the pouches.
- specific felt markers must also be used for peel pouches,and never write on the paper part of the pouch. This will cause strike through and render the pouch contaminated.
At the end of each sterilization load, it is important to keep and log all of above information for
accountability. and to provide sterilization records,if a recall is necessary or an audit is required
LOADING PROCEDURES
-Place all packages on edge and arrange load to allow for maximum steam exposure.
-Do not overload ,this will not allow proper steam penetration between items properly.
-Avoid contact of load components with the wall of the chamber (if this happens it will result in tearing of the instruments sets)
Rigid containers
-Rigid containers should be placed flat with a small space between each container
-Containers should not be stacked unless the manufacturer specify
Textile packs
-Should be placed on their side to help air removed and steam penetration
-Textiles should be vertical in relation to cart.
UNLOADING THE STERILIZER
-Open sterilizer door once load is finished, do not remove cart from the machine, this will allow sterile
packs to dry completely.( Although this practice has come into question)
- Once the items have reached room temperature carefully remove items from cart
-Move items to storage
CAUTION
REMOVE CART FROM THE MACHINE USING PROTECTIVE GLOVES TO
GUARD AGAINST BURNS
