Why You Need a Cloud-Connected Autoclave

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, lab managers, and technicians have an easier way of maintaining those records.

Some sterilizer users follow the archaic practice of maintaining the autoclave records in places like filing cabinets, desk drawers and even shoeboxes. The problem with saving and storing physical print-outs is that the process can be cumbersome, incredibly inefficient, and consumes valuable laboratory space. Luckily, cloud-connected autoclaves offer a variety of benefits related to lab productivity and efficiency.

Why Use a Cloud-Connected Autoclave?

The ability to electronically store autoclave documentation is fairly simple. Thanks to a unique partnership with TetraScience, all Consolidated autoclaves are now able to connect to the internet. Simply connect the autoclave via Ethernet or Wi-Fi to enjoy the benefits — including cloud-based data storage, real time monitoring, cycle alerts & reminders and more.

Consolidated Sterilizer Systems builds cloud-connected autoclaves that eliminate the need for paper printouts and usage charts by electronically collecting the autoclave’s pertinent data (time, temperature, pressure, operator ID, etc).

Benefits of Using Cloud-Connected Autoclaves

• Traceability is essential for cost allocation in large facilities where autoclaves are shared between departments. Previously, determining which lab or department used the autoclave meant pouring through usage charts and paper records. With a cloud-connected autoclave, tracing usage by department is easily done by accessing a Cycle History Report that includes information such as operator ID, date, time, and any error messages from the cycle. Management can access the records at any time and easily analyze autoclave usage across the entire facility.

• Reducing maintenance costs is another benefit of using a cloud-connected autoclave. Preventative maintenance on autoclaves has traditionally been planned in terms of time intervals (e.g. quarterly, annually, etc). A better metric for planning maintenance schedules is usage (e.g. every 300 cycles). Capturing the number of cycles run on an autoclave between maintenance visits can be easily captured with cloud-connectivty. As a result, usage-based preventative maintenance scheduling can be employed to decrease downtime and reduce costs created by unnecessary maintenance.

To find out more about how Consolidated Sterilizer Systems’ Cloud-Connected Autoclaves are modernizing autoclave recordkeeping, contact us today.