Why You Need a Cloud-Connected Autoclave Written by: Mike Peters Autoclave recordkeeping is an essential component of sterilization best practices. Industry standards stipulate that time, temperature, and pressure must be recorded for every cycle that is run, and those records must be maintained for three years. And today, thanks to the birth of the Internet of Labs (IoL) and the creation of cloud-connected autoclaves, researchers, […] Tweet Like Share
How To Validate an Autoclave: Installation Qualification (IQ) Written by: Amit Gupta There is an array of qualification tests that can be conducted to validate an autoclave. Many laboratories validate autoclaves by simply using biological indicators (BI’s). For some labs, however, a simple validation with BI’s is not enough and a more elaborate validation process must be followed. These labs typically require installation, operation, and performance qualifications […] Tweet Like Share
Autoclaves for BSL-3 Facilities—Part 2: Autoclave Door Safety Written by: Scott Mechler This is the second of three articles describing BSL-3 autoclaves, also commonly known as biocontainment sterilizers. These types of sterilizers are essential in handling microbes that can lead to serious or potentially lethal disease through inhalation. In this article we review the important aspects of the autoclave door design that are essential for every BSL-3 […] Tweet Like Share
Autoclaves for BSL-3 Facilities—Part 1: The Bio-Seal Written by: Scott Mechler This is the first of three articles describing BSL-3 autoclaves, also commonly known as biocontainment sterilizers. These types of sterilizers are essential in handling microbes that can lead to serious or potentially lethal disease through inhalation. In this article we explore the importance of the bio-seal, a feature that must be incorporated into a BSL-3 […] Tweet Like Share
7 Common Causes for Failure of a Bowie-Dick Test Written by: Amit Gupta Sterilization departments have one of the most important responsibilities within a healthcare facility — ensuring that all surgical instruments and other reusable equipment are sterilized and safe to use during upcoming procedures. Without these services, operations at hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers would grind to a halt. In laboratory settings (especially in ones that carry […] Tweet Like Share
How To Calibrate Your Autoclave (Includes 11 Step Sample Procedure) Written by: Scott Mechler “Calibration” is a word that is frequently used in the steam sterilization industry. This blog post will explore what it is, what is involved in doing it right, alternatives, and the potential effects on an existing sterilization process. What is Calibration? At its very basic premise, calibration is bringing the response of a sensor (e.g. […] Tweet Like Share
Biosafety Levels 1, 2, 3 & 4: What’s the Difference? Written by: Arthur Trapotsis Updated 11/3/22: Information about the biosafety level requirements for handling SAR-CoV-2 (COVID-19 coronavirus) can be found here. Safety is of the utmost importance in any laboratory setting, especially when working with autoclaving equipment. In order to ensure the safety of lab personnel, the environment and surrounding communities, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) […] Tweet Like Share
Why To Autoclave Liquids With a Load Probe Written by: Amit Gupta In our previous Sterilization Cycles post on the F0 Cycle, we briefly reviewed the process for autoclaving liquids with a load probe. This post further discusses the benefits of using a load probe for sterilization validation. A load probe is a temperature sensing probe located inside the laboratory’s autoclave chamber. It is configured such that […] Tweet Like Share
Bowie-Dick & Vacuum Leak Tests: Autoclave Sterilization Cycles Written by: Arthur Trapotsis The entire purpose of a laboratory or medical autoclave is to, quite simply, sterilize; however, without the proper conditions for sterility, an autoclave may fall short of its mission. Validation is an essential quality assurance measure designed to ensure that your autoclave operates exactly as intended. There are a number of different ways to validate […] Tweet Like Share
Steam Sterilization Cycles, Part 7: Product Lifecycle Testing in an Autoclave Written by: Arthur Trapotsis In our 7th installment of the Advanced Cycles Series, we explore automated product lifecycle testing in an autoclave. Repeated exposure to an autoclave chamber’s extreme temperature and pressure conditions allows Quality Control Specialists to sharply accelerate product aging and evaluate the lifecycle of a product. Typically, this process requires that an individual (e.g. technician, scientist, engineer, etc) spend countless hours in front of an autoclave. What if you could program the autoclave to run multiple sterilization cycles (over multiple hours or days) with the press of a single button? Read more → 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 […]
