Steam Flashcards
why do we use steam for sterilisation
steam carries massive amount of energy
non-toxic component
can be recondensed and used again
main ingredient is water - readily available
no waste product except water
what water do we use for steam sterilisation
purified water
(de-ionised, distilled, sterile)
what is purified water
had organics, minerals and microorganisms removed
why do we use steam instead of water
volume of steam is much greater and can create a huge amount of pressure within small confined spaces
what are the 3 types of steriliser
type N
type B
type S
what happens in a type N steriliser
machine heats water in chamber
steam passively forces air from chamber
can leave air pockets in chamber
what can you not process in type N sterilisers
wrapped instruments or lumened or channelled instruments
what happens if there is air in the sterilser
anything in contact with the air will not be sterilised properly as air is lower temperature than steam
what can you process through type N steriliser
rigid steel/solid instrumentation
what should the temperature be in a type N and B sterilsier
134-137 degrees
what should the pressure be in type N and B steriliser
2.05 to 2.35 bar gauge
how long should a type N and B steriliser hold temperature and pressure
minimum of 3 minutes
what is the process with a type B steriliser
remove all the air from the chamber
fills chamber with steam
vacuum allows steam to rush into chamber meaning it effectively contacts all surfaces
what can type B sterilisers sterilise
wrapped, channelled and lumened instruments
porous items - cotton swabs
how do you create a negative pressure in a type B steriliser
removing all of the air
