Definition

 All surgical instruments that are in touch with open wounds

or enter the body of a patient must be sterile
 Therefore, all surgical instruments and materials have to be
sterilized before surgery
 The machine which does the sterilization is called autoclave
or sterilizer
 Autoclave is a pressurized device designed to heat aqueous
solutions above their boiling point at normal atmospheric
pressure to achieve sterilization
 Purpose and application of sterilizers
• Sterilization is the elimination of all transmissible
microorganism, bacteria, viruses and fungi from the surface
of an instrument
• This is different from disinfection, where only organisms are
removed by a disinfectant and are not completely eliminated
• In general, any instrument that enters the body must be
sterilized
• This includes all surgical instruments, implants, catheters,
syringes, needles, dressings and others
• Proper sterilization of instruments is crucial in preventing
HIV transmission
 Autoclave Usage

• Microbiology
• Medicine
• Veterinary science
• Dentistry
• Podiatry
• Metallurgy …
 Types of autoclave
1. Steam sterilizers: it can be pressure coocker
type, table tope, vertical type or
stationary(big)
2. Dry oven sterilizers: mostly table top type
 Working principle of steam sterilizer
• The boiling point of water is 100°C (212°F).
• This means that water cannot be heated above 100°C
• Further heating does create steam but does not raise the
temperature of the water
• Only when water is heated in a closed vessel is it possible to
reach higher temperatures
• Then the water steam creates a pressure in the vessel With
increasing pressure the boiling point of the water also
increases
• The temperature gets higher than 100°C and can then be used
for sterilisation.
 Cont’d
• Water and steam temperatures of 121°C or
134°C can only be reached under pressure

Parameters we consider
• Temperature, time, pressure, altitude, absolute
pressure, gauge pressure
- what is the effect of these parameters on the
sterilization QUALITY?
 Working principle dry steliizier
• is less efficient than the sterilization with steam
• The process takes longer and the temperature has to be
higher
• Dry heat is used for the sterilization of some plastics,
papers, special liquids and powders which cannot be
sterilized with steam
• One advantage of dry heat is, that it does not cause
rusting of steel products
 Cont’d
• The hot air can be applied without high pressure.
• The standard setting for a hot air oven is:
 160°C (320°F) for 120 minutes
 190°C (374°F) for 12 to 15 minutes
Note: Hot steam at 134 °C can achieve in 25 to 30
minutes the same sterility as hot air at 160°C in
two hours.
 Components of typical steam
sterilizer
• Pressure control valve
• Air removal valve
• Safety valve
• Chamber
• Water level sensor
• Heating element
• Temperature(termometer) and pressure gauge, timer
• Lids and lid gasket
• Vacum pump
Components of typical dry sterilizer

•Chamber
•Heating element
•Temperature(thermometer)
• timer
•Lids and lid gasket
 Safety and Proper Autoclave Use
– Proper temperature and exposure time are critical
in ensuring the reliability of the autoclaving
process
– These factors are dependent upon steam penetration to
every part of the load
– If all the air is not allowed to escape from the waste
during the autoclave cycle, then steam will not replace
the air
– The autoclave user must be mindful to prevent the
entrapment of air
 PPE for Autoclave Users
• Eye Protection

• Lab Coat, Buttoned

• Closed-toed Shoes

• Heat-resistant Gloves
 Hazards Associated
with Autoclaves
– High temperatures and presence of extremely hot
water which is not vented creates potential for burns
and scalding
– Inadequate decontamination allows for the potential
of biological hazards and personnel and
environmental contamination
– Large heavy doors and loading carriages also
present an ergonomic and pinch hazard to
employees.
 Hazards Associated
with Autoclaves
– How to prevent hazards associated with autoclave use:
• Read the owners manual as manufacturer recommendations
vary.
• Make sure autoclave doors and gaskets are firmly locked into
place before operating the autoclave.
– These interlocking mechanisms help to prevent a sudden
release of high pressure steam.
– If the autoclave does not have interlocking mechanisms,
take additional precautions to ensure the door is closed.
Hazards Associated with Autoclaves
– How to prevent hazards associated with autoclave
use:
• Post a warning sign stating, “Hot Surfaces, Keep
Away” on or next to the autoclave to remind people of
the heat hazard as older autoclaves may have little or
no heat shielding around its exposed sides.
• Never stack or store combustible near an autoclave.
• Never autoclave toxic, volatile, or radioactive material
Hazards Associated with Autoclaves
– How to prevent hazards associated with autoclave
use :
• Remove solutions from the autoclave slowly and gently.
– Some solutions have the potential to boil over when moved
or exposed to room temperature.
– Heat-resistant gloves, safety goggles and a faceshield, and a
rubber apron must be worn when removing hot liquids from
the autoclave.
• Clean up spills immediately.
• Report malfunctions or accidents to your supervisor
immediately.
User-Trouble shooting
USER MAINTENANACE
 Tools and equipments for
maintenance and calibration
• BME/T tools box
• Sterilization indicator
• ESA
• Timer/stopwatch
• thermometer
 Practical activity
• Read user and service manuals of given device
• List parts of machine by observation of the device
and explain the purpose of each
• Draw schematic diagram of device( electrical)
• Measure the functionality of each components
• Check the overall functionality of the device by
doing performance test
• Fill the sheets of PM
 a n k
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