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Steam Sterilization or Autoclaving.pptx

Steam sterilization is conducted using an autoclave, which exposes items to high temperature steam between 121-134°C for 10-60 minutes to kill microorganisms including bacteria and spores. It is commonly used in hospitals to sterilize reusable devices. The autoclave removes air and circulates steam to penetrate all surfaces. Effectiveness is monitored using biological indicators containing bacterial spores. Precise temperature, pressure, and exposure time must be followed to reliably kill microbes depending on the material.

Healthcare◦
STEAM STERILIZATION ( AUTO CLAVING) Prof.Nagamani.T
Steam sterilization (also called autoclaving) is conducted in an autoclave which is a container that can with stand high pressure and temperature. Steam sterilization is typically conducted at the hospital or clinical for reusable devices. Using steam is one of the most reliable sterilization methods.
Steam sterilization is generally carried out at temperatures between 121°C (250°F) and 134°C (273°F), under 15–30 psi (1.0– 2.0 bar) pressure, between 10 and 60 min, depending upon the material and the type of organism to be inactivated.
COMMONLY USED TEMPERATURES Temperature (°C) Sterilization Time (min) for 1 Cycle 132–134 3–10 121 8–30 115 35–45 111 80–180
INSTRUCTIONS  Do not over load the autoclave.  Use appropriate temperature and pressure. The lower the temperature, the longer the exposure time required for sterilization.  Remove all the air from the autoclave before introducing steam because air is heavier than steam and will reduce the steam concentration (and hence the effectiveness) of the sterilization.  Dynamic air removal has been shown to be more efficient because the machine can pump in conditioning air
 Steam should penetrate and reach all surfaces of the product for proper sterilization efficacy.  Poor cleaning, improper moisture, impermeable packaging, or over packing the autoclave chamber can reduce the effectiveness of steam sterilization.  The steam cycle is monitored by appropriate biological indicators at locations throughout the autoclave is considered as the best indicator of sterilization.  The effectiveness of steam sterilization is monitored with a biological indicator containing spores of Geobacillus stearothermophilus (formerly Bacillus stearothermophilus).  Plastic materials that have a higher softening temperature than the sterilization temperature must be used when considering steam sterilization
PROCEDURE  All the instruments must be properly washed and dried.  Pack each tray according to the hospital procedures.  Fill the boiler chamber with sufficient amount of water.  Put on the autoclave switch  A draw down vacuum is used to remove the conditioning air cycles from the packaged product and the chamber.  Ambient air is removed from the chamber in what is known as a ‘pre-vac’ cycle, which is typically a series of pressure and vacuum excursions.  These serial staged cycles provide the time and conditions necessary to ensure the entrapped chamber atmosphere can be withdrawn from within the package and from within the product itself.
 Set Autoclave heat to 121–134 °C (250–273 °F) with a holding time of at least 15 minutes at 121 °C or 3 minutes at 134 °C, longer for liquids and surgical instruments packed in layers of cloth. Treatment inactivates all fungi, bacteria, viruses and also bacterial spores, which can be quite resistant to some methods.  Place the biological indicator in the chamber.  Close the door of autoclave and wait for the required time.
 After completion of the specified time reduce the pressure valve and wait for the steam to completely evaporate.  When the gauze shows ‘0’level, open the door on the other side of the autoclave on the sterile area.  Unload the autoclave and store the sterilized trays in the sterile cabins.  Check for the color change of the biological indicator for effectiveness of the procedure.  Record the date and time along with the batch for future references.
ADVANTAGES  Efficient method to destroy micro organisms.  Cheap cost, so econimal to use.  microbicidal, sporicidal, nontoxic  Easy and safe to use.  Moist heat kills microorganisms by irreversible coagulation and denaturation of enzymes and structural proteins.  This process of sterilization rapidly destroys resistant strains spores, however, there are limitations.
DIS ADVANTAGES  This method damages many plastics, electronics, fibre optics and biological materials. So, check for the instructions on the material regarding the sterilization.  Careful monitoring is required for measurement of water level, temperature and pressure.  Skilled personnel required to handle the autoclave.
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