Until now, the most advanced sterilization techniques were only available in large hospitals. There is now a growing demand from veterinary clinics, dentists, private hospitals, tattoo parlors and beauty salons. This short article will provide you with the basics for proper preparation of instruments prior to sterilization.
Steps
Step 1. Make sure there is no residue on the meter, no blood or other organic material
It must also be dry and free from mineral deposits. These substances can damage the instrument or the sterilizer.
Step 2. Clean the tool immediately after use
Step 3. After cleaning, rinse it for 30 seconds and let it dry completely
Step 4. Place the clean, dry instrument in the sterilization bag
Step 5. Label the bag with the instrument name, date and initials of your name before autoclaving
Step 6. Make sure all instruments are spaced apart during the sterilization cycle
Step 7. Turn the empty baskets over to avoid water accumulation
Step 8. Do not overload the sterilization trays
Otherwise, the procedure will not be safe and the instruments will not dry properly.
Step 9. Maintain a distance of about 2.5 cm between one tray and the other, to allow the circulation of steam
Step 10. Do not stack the bags
Step 11. Record the procedure with your initials, the date, the duration of the cycle, the maximum temperature reached and, if possible, the result of the control tests for the detection of bacteria
These records must be kept together with the patient / client data.
Advice
At least once a week do a spore test (Bacillus Stearothermophilus) to be sure of the sterility of the instruments. You need to place the test in a spot that the steam struggles to reach (be careful anyway, as test modes may vary)
Warnings
- Make sure you separate the metal tools (stainless steel, carbon etc…). Those in carbon-steel must be placed in bags for the autoclave and not placed directly on steel trays. If you mix them you risk oxidizing them.
- Check the manufacturer's instructions for proper sterilization. The manufacturer will give you specific information on the times and temperatures to use.
