Autoclave & Sterilizers

A vessel in which high temperatures can be achieved by using high pressur, the domestic pressure cooker is an example.At atmospheric pressure water boils at 100 °C; at 5 lb (35 kPa) above atmospheric pressure the boiling point side by side.The equipment for sterilization is called an autoclave or commonly called a sterilizer.Autoclaves have two major uses. In cooking, the higher temperature reduces the time needed.At these higher temperatures, and under moist conditions, bacteria are destroyed more rapidly, so permitting sterilization of foods, surgical dressings and instruments, etc.By sterilizing all bacteria, viruses, fungi and spores are inactivated.There are chemical and biological indicators that can be used to ensure an autoclave reached the correct temperature for the correct amount of time.

Chemical indicators can be found on medical packaging and autoclave tape and these change color once the correct conditions have been met.With the change in color, we have indication that the object inside the package, or under the tape, has been autoclaved sufficiently.Setting the right temperature is very important, because if the autoclave did not reach the right temperature, the spores of certain bacterium will germinate.Any surgical instrument which is not properly cleansed and sterilized is extremely dangerous to the patient and this is downright disapproved. Instruments to be autoclaved are to be done so in distilled water, tap water or soft ware as hard water have the tendency to leave behind deposits on the instruments and affect the joints of the instruments, often making them stiff.After the instruments are used, clean and decontaminate all instruments in cold or lukewarm water.The primary purpose of doing so is to ensure that the instruments do not become stained and so that the joints do not become stiff.Generally, put the instruments that are to be sterilized into the dressing drum of the autoclave, making sure that the holes of the dressing drum are opened to allow the steam to enter the dressing drum and reach the instruments to be sterilized, and place the drum into the autoclave.After placing the lid on the container, tighten the lid by opposite locking nuts.As soon as the pressure gauges shows a pressure of 2lbs, allow the enclosed air to escape by opening the air exhaust valve. As the pressure reaches to about 15 lbs or the equivalent of 1.05 kgf per square cm, the main safety valve will automatically come into operation and start blowing off excess steam maintaining pressure of 15 lbs inside the autoclave.To open the container, apply some firm force by holding the lid handle and turn it towards the right, till both the arrow marks on the lid and container co-inside.Then lift and remove the lid using the lifting handle.

The most frequent reason for sterilization failure is lack of contact between the steam and the germs that you are trying to kill.Air usually moves to the bottom of the autoclave because it is heavier than steam and is then forced out through the drain.By operating the autoclave using an operational checklist and by maintaining an operational log, it is possible to reduce human errors of operation and to troubleshoot difficulties that arise during operation.

Where it is a health service such as a hospital that requires sterilization service, a Central Supplies And Stores Department or CSSD manned by qualified and experienced CSSD technicians and nurses will be necessary to enable the highest standard of health care and to ensure the surgical instruments and supplies are well sterilized, enabling the autoclaves to have the optimum lifespan of service as they are well taken care of and maintained.

Autoclaves in Medicine
Because damp heat is used, heat-labile products (such as some plastics) cannot be sterilised this way or they will melt. Some paper or other products that may be damaged by the steam must also be sterilised another way. In stove top autoclaves, items should always be separated to allow the steam to penetrate the load evenly.

Sterilization:-
Sterilization (or sterilization) refers to any process that effectively kills or eliminates transmissible agents (such as fungi, bacteria, viruses and priors) from a surface, equipment, foods, medications or biological culture medium.Sterilization can be achieved through application of heat, chemicals, irradiation or filtration.