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Autoclaves and Extas

Autoclave machines are devices used to sterilise equipment and materials by subjecting them to high pressure and temperature steam. They work by creating a vacuum and then filling a chamber with steam, which can reach temperatures of up to 135°C.

Autoclaves are commonly used in podiatry, medical, dental, and veterinary settings to sterilize instruments, as well as in research laboratories and the food industry. They are essential for preventing the spread of infectious diseases and ensuring the safety of patients, staff, and consumers.

 

Clinic Autoclaves and Extras

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Managing your Autoclave - Operational Procedures

Sterilisation performance must be checked frequently: daily - this includes the steam penetration test - and weekly by the user and annually by a certified engineer.

Packaging and Loading your Autoclave

Clean the drain strainer and fill in with distilled water before loading the autoclave. Always place items in a secondary container such as an autoclavable tray to place the items. Do not overload or package bags too tightly as steam needs to circulate freely. The container may be placed on its side to maximize steam penetration, do not overload or package bags tightly. Do not allow bags to touch the interior walls of the autoclave to avoid melting of material. Select the right cycle for the material (e.g. for wrapped instruments) as per manufacturer instructions. Incorrect selection of cycle may damage the autoclave and its contents. Check chamber pressure gauge for a minimum pressure of 20 pounds per square inch (psi). Close and lock door. The temperature must be verified for every load by a printout and this should be logged. The recommended cycle is 134°C for a minimum holding time of 3.5 minutes. Do not attempt to open the door while autoclave is operating. Fill out the paperwork to ensure traceability of the process.


Unloading your Autoclave

Make sure once the cycle has completed that both temperature and pressure have returned to a safe range. Stand back from the door as a precaution and carefully open door no more than 1 inch. This will release residual steam and allow pressure within liquids and containers to normalize. Allow the autoclaved load to stand for 10 minutes in the chamber to allow steam to clear and items to cool down to room temperature before transporting. Inspect your instruments to ensure they are fit for purpose: they are not blunt, no rust, etc. Your instruments are not sterile and should be used on stock rotation ‘first in- first out’.