Health Care Sector

Sterilization is an unavoidable process to ensure a germ free healthy society. It is imperative to sterilize Instruments used in Medical Examinations and Surgery as well as Bio Wastes to prevent the spreading of dreaded contagious diseases.

Autoclave used in Health Care Sector are termed as Medical Autoclave.

Medical Autoclave is a device that uses steam to sterilize equipment and other objects. This means that all bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores are inactivated. However, prions, may not be destroyed by autoclaving at the typical 121°C for 15 minutes or 134°C for 3 minutes, but can be destroyed with a longer sterilization cycle of 134°C for 18 minutes. Also, some recently-discovered organisms, such as Strain 121, can survive at temperatures above 121°C.

Autoclaves are found in many medical settings and other places that need to ensure sterility of an object. Many procedures today use single-use items rather than sterilized, reusable items. This first happened with hypodermic needles, but today many  surgical instruments (such as forceps, needle holders, and scalpel handles) are commonly single-use items rather than reusable.

Because damp heat is used, heat-labile products (such as some plastics) cannot be sterilized this way or they will melt. Some paper or other products that may be damaged by the steam must also be sterilized another way. In all autoclaves, items should always be separated to allow the steam to penetrate the load evenly.

There are certain plastics that can withstand repeated temperature cycling greater than the 121°C or 249°F required for the autoclaving process. PFA, polypropylene, polysulfone and Noryl are examples.

Some computer-controlled autoclaves use an F₀ (F-nought) value to control the sterilization cycle. F₀ values are set as the number of minutes of equivalent sterilization at 121°C or 249°F (e.g: F₀ = 15 min.). Since exact temperature control is difficult, the temperature is monitored, and the sterilization time adjusted accordingly.

Autoclaving is often used to sterilize medical waste prior to disposal in the standard municipal solid waste stream. This application has grown as an alternative to incineration due to environmental and health concerns raised by combustion byproducts from incinerators, especially from the small units which were commonly operated at individual hospitals. Incineration or a similar thermal oxidation process is still generally mandated for pathological waste and other very toxic and/or infectious medical wastes.

Disclaimer

The content of this issue is presented for general information only as perceived by the writer of the article. Reader should independently verify the correctness and accuracy of the material before using the same for any purpose whatsoever. The Company or Management or Staff of Puneet Industries or the Writer shall not be responsible for any inaccuracy or error in the article.

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