Heat Sterilisation Flashcards
what are the 2 categories of heat sterilisation
Moist heat sterilisation and dry heat sterilisation
what is the flowchart process of moist heat sterilisation
- heat sterilisation
- thermostable products
- moisture resistant items
- moist heat sterilisation
what is the flowchart process of dry heat sterilisation
- heat sterilisation
- thermostable products
- moisture sensitive items
- dry heat sterilisation
what is the most heat resistant microbe
prions and endospores
what is the least heat resistant microbes
protozoa, algae and viruses
what are the 3 stages in heat sterilisation profile
- heating stage
- holding stage (sterilisation)
- cooling stage
what is dry heat sterilisation and when is it used
sterilisation by thermal conduction
- heat stable, moisture sensitive products
- action through coagulation and oxidative processes
- killing less effective in absence of moisture, reflected in processing times
What is the sterility assurance level to aim for in dry heat sterilisation
10-6 or better
outline the sterilisation parameters for dry heat
- reference conditions: 160 degrees for 2 hours
- 170 degrees for 1 hour
- 180 degrees for 30 mins
- 250 degrees for 30 mins for endotoxin removal
what is depyrogenation
removal of pyrogens from a solution
- pyrogen is any substance that can cause fever (eg. endotoxins)
outline some features of dry heat sterilising ovens
- open mesh shelving
- temperature recorder with no control
- overheat cut out
- thermally insulated chamber
- cycle counter
- forced cooling and filtered air
- fault indication
what are other alternative dry heat sterilisers
- unidirectional airflow tunnels- allows for continuous throughput of material
- radiant heat tunnels
what are the applications of dry heat sterilisation
- heat stable, non aqueous materials that cannot be sterilised by steam
- glassware
- metal instruments
- non aqueous thermostable liquids (some oily injections)
- thermostable solids
- depyrogenation of glassware
what are the advantages of dry heat sterilisation
- simple method
- effective method- heat conduction reaches all surfaces
- where hydration is undesirable
- protection of cutting edges (eg. sharps)
- avoid wet pack problems
- no chemical residue
- depyrogenation possible
what are the disadvantages of dry heat sterilisation
- less efficient than steam at the same temperature
- limitations for plastic/rubber items
- uneven/slow heat transfer
- cost of prolonged cycles
- limited packaging materials due to high temperatures
- oxidation may occur