Autoclave Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): How to Safely Operate an Autoclave (+SOP Template) Written by: Scott Mechler Autoclaves, also known as steam sterilizers, use pressurized steam to kill any microbial life that may be present on a contaminated item. For this reason, autoclaves are most commonly used in laboratories, hospital operating rooms and food production facilities in order to sterilize goods and instruments. Autoclaves are extremely powerful and can be a bit […] Tweet Like Share
53 Items Every Autoclave Maintenance Plan Should Include [+ Free Log Sheet!] Written by: Mike Peters Here at Consolidated Sterilizer Systems, we’re of the mind that the importance of routine preventative autoclave maintenance really can’t be understated. After all, preventative maintenance reduces system downtime, improves processing performance, eliminates the need for costly repairs, and ensures workplace safety — and that’s only the start of it. Bearing that in mind, we’ve put […] Tweet Like Share
An Automated Autoclave Process for Use in Determining Glassware Quality [USP 660] Written by: Amit Gupta Glass containers for pharmaceutical use are intended to come into direct contact with pharmaceutical products. The glass container manufacturing process directly results in the quality of glass produced. Certain types of glass are less durable than others and are therefore more susceptible to delamination of the interior of the glass container. If delamination occurs on […] Tweet Like Share
Why Water Quality is Important When Using a Steam Autoclave Written by: Scott Mechler Water is the lifeblood of a laboratory autoclave. The quality of water you use will drastically affect the lifespan of your autoclave chamber and steam generator, as well as the types of loads that you can sterilize. To understand why, let’s address seven common questions about water quality and how to improve it. Read more → Tweet Like Share
10 Items That Should Be on Every Autoclave Log Sheet [w/ Free Template!] Written by: Arthur Trapotsis There’s a well-known saying in the business world that “You can’t manage what you don’t measure”; this concept is true for sterilization cycles, as well. In order to ensure that each cycle meets the appropriate sterilization standards, multiple agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Organization for Safety and Asepsis Prevention […] Tweet Like Share
Maintaining Your Autoclave with SterilCARE™ Written by: Jason Thompson Is a low-cost, safe and reliable steam sterilizer important to your facility? Consolidated is excited to announce the launch of the SterilCARE™ preventative autoclave maintenance program, which is designed to keep your total cost of ownership low and ensure your autoclave is running reliably and safely. Historically, preventative maintenance of laboratory autoclaves has been scheduled […] Tweet Like Share
What Is the Difference Between Laboratory, GLP, and GMP Steam Sterilizers? Written by: Amit Gupta “What is the difference between a GMP and a non-GMP (i.e. GLP and/or basic lab research) steam sterilizer?” The sales and engineering teams here at Consolidated Sterilizer Systems get this question a lot. Many clients mistakenly believe that Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements are universal to all steam sterilizers used in pharmaceutical or biotechnology facilities. […] Tweet Like Share
What to Do About Stained Packs After Autoclaving: Common Causes and Affordable Solutions Written by: Scott Mechler In the summer of 2016, Windsor Regional Hospital (WRH) in Windsor, Ontario, was forced to cancel hundreds of surgeries at its Ouellette campus due to a “mysterious sterilization scare.” The strange scare, as reported in numerous media outlets, involved the staining of wrapping materials used to protect sterilized instrument trays during and after autoclaving. Because of […] Tweet Like Share
Sterilization 101: How Does a Laboratory Autoclave Work? Written by: Amit Gupta Steam sterilization is an important process, one that is performed in every laboratory. In this article, we will explore the history of steam sterilization, how a sterilizer works, and emerging trends in sterilizer design. An Introduction to Steam Sterilization Terminology The terms steam sterilizer and autoclave are synonymous and can be used interchangeably. That said, […] Tweet Like Share
Is the Cloud Secure? The Most Common Question to Consider When Connecting Your Lab to the Cloud Written by: Arthur Trapotsis Are you considering connecting your autoclave to the cloud? Perhaps you’re thinking of upgrading not only your autoclave, but all of your laboratory equipment? Perhaps you’re unsure of embracing cloud-enabled equipment, and the whole concept of the Internet of Things, in the laboratory (also known as the Internet of Labs). Before you decide, make sure […] Tweet Like Share
5.2.24 The Top 8 Hospital Sterilization Cycles for CSSDs & SPDs → Central sterile supply departments (CSSDs) and sterile processing departments (SPDs) play an integral role in hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), ensuring surgical instruments, medical devices, and other essential equipment are sterilized and ready for use. From cleaning and decontamination to storage and distribution, CSSDs and SPDs maintain rigorous processes to maintain the highest standards […]
2.28.24 Setting up your SPD for Success: 8 Reasons to Own a Backup Autoclave → Steam is the most reliable and effective method for sterilizing medical equipment, and as a result, autoclaves are a fixture in almost every ASC’s sterilization setup. But, as is often the case, there are numerous situations in which ASCs find themselves without sufficient sterile processing capacity or a backup plan for when main units are […]
2.7.24 Consolidated Earns ACT Label, Highlighting Commitment to Sustainability → Have you ever wished that you could review an autoclave’s energy and water use, manufacturing impact, and packaging content similar to how you’d read a nutrition label at the grocery store? That’s the idea behind the ACT Environmental Impact Factor (EIF) label. Short for Accountability, Consistency, and Transparency, the ACT label demonstrates the environmental impact […]
