A steam autoclave is only as good as its cleaning, loading and monitoring. Build a monitoring schedule from the CDC guideline, learn how to load for good steam contact and find the usual causes of wet packs and failed indicators.
Answer four questions to get a starting monitoring schedule based on the CDC guideline. Your manufacturer's instructions, your facility's policy and any rules that apply to you come first.
The CDC guideline says at least weekly, with daily testing helpful when a sterilizer runs several loads a day, and a biological indicator in every load that contains implants.
An air-removal test for prevacuum sterilizers, run in an empty chamber each day the sterilizer is used.
Common causes include heavy metal mass, dense wraps, crowded loads and short drying. Check the manual and your loading practice.
No. The CDC guideline says an item should not be used if an internal or external indicator suggests inadequate processing.
No. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and your facility's policies first.
Cycle records, chemical indicators, Bowie-Dick tests and spore tests.
Clean first, then load so steam can reach every surface.
Wet packs, failed indicators, long cycles and error codes.
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