The instruments should be covered when they are being moved in covered carts, containers, or plastic bags. [1] X Trustworthy Source University of Rochester Medical Center Leading academic medical center in the U. S. focused on clinical care and research Go to source
You might need protective goggles in certain situations, if the substance you are using to decontaminate the instruments splatters. [2] X Trustworthy Source University of Rochester Medical Center Leading academic medical center in the U. S. focused on clinical care and research Go to source
If instruments are not cleaned beforehand, the process of sterilization, may not be successful and compromise the instrument tray. There are solutions approved for soaking instruments. Your facility will have them on hand with proper instructions for their use. When not cleaned properly, it may affect the health of the patient. There are automatic washers that you can use, but their use depends on the facility and location of the cleaning process. [3] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source
Again, cleaning the instruments is not meant to sterilize them. This step just prepares them for sterilization. Sterilization will destroy all microorganisms on the surface of the instrument, preventing infection. Use caution when handling sharp items like scissors, blades, and other sharp implements. [4] X Trustworthy Source University of Rochester Medical Center Leading academic medical center in the U. S. focused on clinical care and research Go to source If an instrument is disposable, you should dispose of it properly and do not try to wash and reuse it. Some instruments may be packaged in sterile bags, but are not considered disposable themselves.
Organize and wrap the instruments for distribution before the autoclaving process. If you wait until afterwards and open them, they won’t be sterile.
You shouldn’t have too many in a bag because it might hinder the sterilization process. Make sure that any instrument that can open, such as scissors, is left open when you put it into a pouch. The inside of the instruments need to be sterilized as well. [5] X Research source Autoclaving in pouches is convenient because you can see the instruments you need when finished. [6] X Research source [7] X Research source
Drying should take about 30 additional minutes.
If they are fine, place them aside to cool to room temperature. Once they are cooled, store them in the pouches in a warm, dry closed cabinet until they are needed. They will remain sterile as long as the pouches are dry and closed.
If there is no growth on the autoclaved vial after 72 hours, then sterilization is complete. If you see yellow on the test vial, sterilization has failed. Contact the manufacturer if failure happens and do not continue to use the autoclave. This test should be run every 40 hours of use or once a month, which ever one is sooner. The spore test should be placed in an area that is the most difficult for the steam to reach. Be aware testing standards may vary.
Towards the end of this phase, the batch report is produced, which tells the operator if there are any issues with the process. If the machine was set on the auto mode, the machine will move on to the degasser stage if the report shows no errors. If there were errors, the machine will automatically stop the process and let the operator fix it before any further sterilization is done. [15] X Research source
Be warned that it is a very dangerous substance. Any operator, personnel, and patients that might come into contact with the gas must have training about the hazards. It also takes longer than an autoclave. [16] X Research source
The static air is a much slower process. It takes longer to raise the temperature of the air in the chamber to sterilization levels because it has coils that heat up. The forced air process uses a motor that circulates the air inside the oven. The heats range from 300 °F (149 °C) for 150 minutes or longer to 340 °F (171 °C) for an hour. [17] X Research source [18] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source
The tape helps you ensure the products are sterilized by reaching the temperature necessary for the sterilization. [20] X Research source
Follow manufacturer’s guidelines for loading the ovens. After the cycle is complete, remove the instruments. Check the indicator strips to make sure the items were sterilized. Take the tools and store them in the safe, clean, dry place in order to protect them from dust and dirt.
You can also use this method at home for things like baby bottles.
For the diffusion phase, put the non-sterile object into a vacuum chamber where 6 mg/L of hydrogen peroxide is injected and vaporized. For 50 minutes, hydrogen peroxide is diffused into the chamber. In the plasma phase, 400 watts of radiofrequency is applied to the chamber, making the hydrogen peroxide a plasma that is made of hydroperoxyl and hydroxyl radicals. These help sterilize the product. The whole process takes about one hour. [21] X Research source
The cycle time is about 4. 5 hours with a temperature of 85 degrees to 94 °F (34. 4 °C). [22] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source
When using any of these chemicals, remember to use a well ventilated area with gloves, eye cover, and gowns or aprons for your own protection. Peracetic acid should soak the products for 12 minutes in temperatures of 122 degrees to 131 °F (55 °C). You can only use the solution once. Gluaraldehyde requires 10 hours of soaking after adding an activating chemical that comes with the bottle. [23] X Trustworthy Source University of Rochester Medical Center Leading academic medical center in the U. S. focused on clinical care and research Go to source [24] X Trustworthy Source US Occupational Safety and Health Administration U. S. government agency responsible for setting and enforcing workplace safety standards Go to source
The conditions have to be ideal for this process with humidity at 75% to 100% and temperatures from 140 degrees to 176 degrees Fahrenheit. Formaldehyde gas is not the most reliable, but it is suggested if EtO is unavailable. It is an old technique that dates back to 1820. It is not often suggested for sterilization because of the gases, smell, and complex processes involved compared to the others available. [25] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source
