What are the 3 parameters of steam sterilization?
Steam sterilization relies on three (3) parameters to eliminate microbes and organisms: time, temperature, and pressure. And these parameters can be manipulated into different cycle recipes to sterilize various types of loads.
What are the minimum parameters for steam sterilization?
Temperatures from 121°C (250°F) to 132°C (270°F) usually are employed in steam sterilization. The temperatures must be maintained for a minimum period to kill off unwanted microbes.
What is a pre vacuum sterilizer?
As opposed to gravity sterilizers, pre & post-vacuum autoclaves remove the air from the chamber actively using a vacuum pump which enables steam penetration of hollow instruments ensuring air removal from the sterilizing chamber and load before the steam enters, therefore achieving superior sterilization outcomes.
What does PSI mean in autoclave?
Check chamber/jacket pressure gauge for minimum pressure of 20 pounds per square inch (psi).
What is the PSI of an autoclave?
approximately 15 pounds per square inch
Operating procedures. When used properly, autoclaves are safe and highly effective. Autoclaves use saturated steam under pressure of approximately 15 pounds per square inch to achieve a chamber temperature of at least 250°F (121°C) for a prescribed time—usually 30–60 minutes.
What are the two types of steam sterilization?
There are two basic types of steam sterilization: gravity and dynamic air removal, the latter of which includes prevacuum and steam flush pressure pulse (SFPP). During the gravity displacement cycle, steam enters from the top or sides of the sterilizer chamber.
What is steam sterilisation?
Steam Sterilization Process Steam sterilization is achieved by exposing the items to be sterilized with saturated steam under pressure. Steam enhances the ability of heat to kill microorganisms by reducing the time and temperature required to denature or coagulate proteins in the microorganisms.
What is the maximum temperature of steam sterilization?
The two common steam-sterilizing temperatures are 121°C (250°F) and 132°C (270°F). These temperatures (and other high temperatures) 830 must be maintained for a minimal time to kill microorganisms.
Why is it important to know the principles of steam sterilization?
A good understanding of basic steam sterilization principles and cycles is necessary to avoid mistakes that can lead to non-sterile load items, poor performance of the equipment, personnel injury, lower productivity, higher operation and maintenance costs, and damage to load items.
What type of steam sterilization cycle should I use?
Gravity and Vacuum cycles are the most commonly utilized steam sterilization cycles, as they can accommodate a wide variety of autoclave load types. Some loads, however, (e.g. syringes, contact lenses, certain types of media, etc.) require special cycle configurations that employ pressure or temperature ramping, for instance.
What is the correct vacuum level for a vacuum sterilizer?
A vacuum level of 1.0 to 2.0 psia (6.9 to 13.8 kPa) is recommended for efficient drying. At 1.0 psia (6.9 kPa) chamber pressure, water boils at 38.7°C (101.7°F). Therefore, the condensate will boil and be removed as steam through the sterilizer’s vacuum system. The energy required to boil the condensate comes from the load itself.