Decontamination, Disinfection & Sterilization: What You Need to Know Written by: Scott Mechler Written by Scott Mechler with Support from Amit Gupta. With news relating to the COVID-19 pandemic reaching a fever pitch, there’s been increased attention on what we as individuals and organizations can do to prevent transmitting the virus, which can last on surfaces anywhere from several hours to several days. As a result, deep-cleaning services […] 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
N95DECON Scientific Consortium Compiles Critical Research on N95 Mask Written by: Arthur Trapotsis April 2, 2020 – The ongoing shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE), including N95 masks, during the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis has forced many hospitals, care centers, and first responders to reuse their limited supply of critical resources. This lack of protective devices puts healthcare workers at increased risk of infection by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which […] Tweet Like Share
Biosafety Level Guidance for COVID-19 Research Written by: Scott Mechler What biosafety level is required to handle samples and/or perform research containing the SARS-CoV-2 virus? Read on for the latest recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Background A Biological Safety Level (BSL 1, 2, 3, or 4) is assigned to a biological lab as a safeguard to protect laboratory personnel, as well as […] Tweet Like Share
COVID-19 Update: Consolidate Sterilizer Systems Staying Open Written by: Arthur Trapotsis 03/25/2020 Consolidated Sterilizer Systems will remain open during the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has designated 16 critical infrastructure sectors that are deemed to be crucial to the nation’s economy, security, and health. Consolidated is supporting our clients in the Healthcare and Public Health Sector. This Sector is vital to the economic […] Tweet Like Share
Covid-19 Pandemic: Face Mask Disinfection & Sterilization for Viruses Written by: Scott Mechler UPDATED 04/10/2020 New information regarding Covid-19, SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) and the reuse of N95 masks is being released at an increasing rate. CSS will attempt to update this page in a timely manner to reflect important changes. However, as information is rapidly changing, CSS is not able to guarantee that the information […] 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
Leading Autoclave Manufacturer Awarded $140k Workforce Grant Written by: Jason Thompson January 31, 2020, (BILLERICA, MASS.) – Consolidated Sterilizer Systems was recently awarded a $143,500 grant by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as part of the Workforce Training Fund Program (WTFP). This funding presents an exciting opportunity for Consolidated to train their employees in many areas of the business. Employees will receive training in lean manufacturing, continuous […] 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
Laboratory Autoclaves That Are Built to Last Written by: Scott Mechler When choosing an autoclave to purchase, it’s important to select one that is designed for durability and built to last. Here at Consolidated Sterilizer Systems (CSS), we’ve manufactured over 14,000 state-of-the-art laboratory autoclaves since 1946 — some of the oldest of which are still in operation today. Take, for example, the autoclave pictured below. This […] Tweet Like Share
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 […]
7.12.23 Cordyceps Sterilization: How to Kill “The Last of Us” Parasite → In HBO’s recent adaptation of “The Last of Us,” a popular action-adventure video game, life as we know it is upended by a parasitic fungus that transforms its human hosts into zombies. The culprit? Cordyceps, a real-life genus of fungus which is best known for infecting insects (most famously ants) in much the same manner […]