When selecting a new autoclave or sterilizer, an important consideration that should be made is the nature and size of the load that is to be processed.
For processing porous items such as dressings, gowns and other textiles a high temperature steam, porous load sterilizer would be selected. This type of sterilizer is also suitable for processing a wide range of medical and surgical equipment wrapped in porous materials. The operating cycles are normally configured for a sterilization temperature band of between either 121 - 124ºC or 134 - 137ºC. The equipment purchaser should therefore ensure that all items intended for the process are capable of withstanding long term exposure to steam at these temperatures.
For the processing of solid instruments, the unwrapped instruments and utensils type sterilizer would be selected. These are normally small self contained bench-top machines and are ideal for processing surgical, dental and podiatric instruments for immediate use. Operating cycles are normally configured for sterilization temperatures of either 121 - 124ºC or 134 - 137ºC. Only items capable of withstanding exposure to steam at this temperature can be processed in this type of sterilizer. The purchaser should also be aware that these sterilizers are not suitable for processing any item that may trap air and impede steam penetration.
When the intended purpose is to process a range of laboratory equipment and materials, a multi-purpose laboratory autoclave is generally selected. This type of autoclave is ideal for processing a wide variety of load types such as the make-safe of infected waste, culture media sterilization, empty glassware, equipment and the disinfection of fabrics. A further and particularly important consideration when selecting a laboratory autoclave for make-safe purposes is the intended category of the infected material and the level of containment required. When selecting autoclaves intended for ACDP (Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens) Containment levels 3 and 4, advice from manufacturers experienced in the design of high containment type autoclaves should be sought.
For further information and resources relating to autoclave and sterilizer technology, visit http://www.steriliser.co.uk
