Steam Flashcards
Why do we use steam for sterilisation?
- steam carries a massive amount of energy
- non-toxic component in the sterilisation process
- can be recondensed & used again
what type of water should be used for the production of steam for sterilisation processes?
Purified water (RO, de-ionised, distilled, sterile)
what types of sterilisers are most commonly used?
- Type-N
- Type-B
How do Type-N sterilisers work?
- heats water in the chamber
- as water turns to steam it passible forces the air from the chamber
- pockets of air can be left in the chamber
- NOT FAVOURABLE for a high quality sterilisation
- cannot process wrapped instruments or channelled or lumened instruments
What can be processed in a Type-N steriliser?
rigid steel/solid instrumentation with no pocket channels or lumens
What temperature should Type-N sterilisers reach?
134-137 degrees celsius
How long must the temperature be held for in a Type-N steriliser?
3 minutes
How do Type-B sterilisers work?
- removes all air from chamber
- fills chamber with steam
- vacuum has been created due to air being removed
- allows steam to reach all surfaces
- can penetrate wrappings of instruments & sterilise instruments inside
what instruments can be processed in a Type-B steriliser?
Wrapped, channeled and lumened instruments
(also porous items such as cotton wool swabs)
What daily tests should be done on the sterilisers?
- checking door seals are intact & free from debris
- verify the chamber is free from damage, debris, contamination or instruments
- verify conditions of load carrier
- fill & drain the feed water reservoir everyday
- drain the used water reservoir everyday
What specific Type-B steriliser daily tests should be done?
Steam penetration test with a Bowie Dick test back or a Helix
What specific Type-B steriliser weekly tests should be done?
- air leakage test
- air detector function test
