Healthy patients, a sanitary environment, and a safe workplace – these are your medical facility’s three core pillars. Your autoclave plays an indispensable role in helping you maintain these pillars. Your organization isn’t the only one that relies heavily on autoclaves, either.
An increasing number of hospitals are using autoclaves. That’s because these steam machines can effectively kill harmful fungi, viruses, and bacteria. Accelerators’ temperatures may exceed 100 degrees Celsius (212 degrees Fahrenheit).
The top autoclave benefits include their eco-friendliness. They’re also less expensive to run compared with incinerators (waste-burning devices).
When it comes to autoclave maintenance, there are several things you need to do. Let’s explore the top autoclave cleaning tips.
Daily Autoclave Maintenance
Common autoclave uses include sterilizing surgical instruments and laboratory equipment. Autoclaves are also used to sterilize biological waste, like sharps, in clinics.
Today’s chemical industry uses autoclaves to cure the coatings of products like fiberglass and carbon fiber (a stiff carbon material). This makes them more durable for use in parts like aircraft wings and car bodies.
An autoclave requires daily attention to run properly. An essential step in maintaining an autoclave is to remove organic tissue, blood, and debris from the items you want to sterilize.
Do this before placing the instruments in the machine. This will help keep the sterilizer and the instruments from becoming damaged.
Ultrasonic cleaners can help you pre-clean instruments before autoclaving them. A popular option is DuraSonic.
Weekly Autoclave Maintenance
Autoclave cleaning is another critical part of sterilizer maintenance. Clean your autoclave’s trays weekly with a mild detergent and non-scratch pad.
An excellent detergent option is Bon Ami. Avoid using bleach, steel wool pads, or wire brushes. Replenish the reservoir’s distilled water after each cleaning.
Monthly Autoclave Maintenance
Flush your autoclave’s lines and clean its chamber monthly. Two distilled water gallons are typically required to perform this task.
Inspect the autoclave’s plug and cord for excessive wear and overheating. This could lead to a fire. Replace the cord immediately if it looks burned or damaged.
Yearly Autoclave Maintenance
Schedule a facility autoclave inspection yearly. A technician should also thoroughly clean, calibrate, and test the autoclave to ensure it’s working correctly. The technician’s service should include replacing filters, seals, and gaskets.
Consider booking a bi-annual inspection and servicing appointment if your organization uses the autoclave frequently. Proper service will help extend your machine’s life. It will also help prevent disease transmission in your facility by ensuring effective autoclave performance.
How We Can Help Your Facility
Autoclave maintenance tips include pre-cleaning instruments that need to go in your autoclave. Clean the machine weekly and flush the lines monthly to keep it in good condition. Annual sterilizer inspections are also an important part of autoclave maintenance.
At SMI Composites, we can use autoclave curing to produce carbon fiber products. We have met the needs of numerous customers requiring this luxury material in the aerospace and medical industries. Get a free quote for your project, and schedule a consultation to start bringing your vision to life today!
