Sterilization/disinfection temps times
Dry saturated steam
Saturated steam occurs at temperatures and pressures where steam and water can coexist. In other words, it occurs when the rate of water vaporization is equal to the rate of condensation.
BIs are considered the "gold standard" of load sterilization monitoring. They are widely recommended as the preferred device for monitoring and releasing loads.
Steam Sterilization - Geobacillus stearothermophilus
Superheated steam
Superheated steam is steam at a temperature that is higher than its vaporization (boiling) point at the absolute pressure. It is steam which is formed at the temperature which exceeds that of saturated steam at the same pressure.
Sterile storage facilities
Temperature in sterile storage should be approximately 75°F, there should be at least 4 air exchanges per hour, and relative humidity should be controlled so that it does not exceed 70%. Items should be stored at least 8 to 10 inches above floor, at least 18 inches below ceiling or the level of the sprinkler heads, and at least 2 inches from outside walls.
Enzymatic detergent and water temperature
Temperatures above 140°F can affect chemical reactions in cool temperatures may not activate the enzyme therefore it is very important to monitor water temperature
Flash Sterilization.
The process of sterilizing an item that is not packaged.
Terminal Sterilization
The process of sterilizing an item that is packaged.
Exhaust phase
at the end of the exposure phase the chambers drain is opened and the steam is removed through the discharge line. sterile, filtered air is gradually re-introduced into the chamber, chamber returns to atmospheric temperature.
Drying phase
begins at the conclusion of the exhaust phase uses the heat of the chamber walls as well as heated filtered fresh air to re-vaporize any liquid water, and remove it from the load and chamber.
Integrating Indicators Class 5. Internal indicators.
chemical indicators designed to react to all critical variables of specified sterilization cycles.
Process Indicators Class 1. External CI's
indicates that the unit has been exposed to the sterilization process and to distinguish between processed and unprocessed units.
Steam sterilization is the most frequently used sterilant for devices not adversely affected by moisture or heat because?
its successful record of safety, effectiveness, reliability, and low cost. Steam sterilization is: low cost. Fast. Simple. no residues.
exposure phase
pressure and temperature rise, as desired temperature is reached, the sterilizers control system begins timing the cycle's exposure phase.
Class 2 Indicators
specific test indicator, Bowie dick test
Conditioning phase
steam enters the sterilizer jacket and air is removed from the sterilizer chamber, either by gravity displacement or mechanically (prevacuum). Objective: Remove air and replace with steam.
PA - Peracetic acid
temperature 122°F - 133°F , exposure time to sterilant 12 minutes, concentration of sterilant 175 or greater, total cycle time approximately 30 minutes.
EtO - Ethylene Oxide
1 - 4 hours exposure, 8 - 12 hours aeration
Gravity Air Displacement. Porous / lumens, Mixed loads. Flash Cycle. 270°F - 275°F
10 minute Exposure time, 0 - 1 minute drying time.
To facilitate the cleaning process the water temperature should be below
110°F this will help prevent the coagulation of proteins
EtO aeration @ 122°F
12 hours
Manual cleaning products are more effective in hot water because molecules move more quickly temperatures for hot water range from
120°F to 165°F
the incubation temperature for the spore used for steam sterilization should be what?
122F-140F
Atmospheric room pressure at sea level.
14.7 pounds per square inch at room temperature.
Glutaraldehyde high-level disinfection soak time
25 minutes. For sterilization soak time is 6 - 10 hours.
Pre-vacuum. Flash Cycle. mixed materials or items with lumens. Dynamic air removal IUSS.
270°F - exposure time of 4 minutes, no drying time.
Dynamic Air Removal. Wrapped Instruments. 270°F - 275°F
270°F 4 minute Exposure time, 20 - 30 minute Drying time. 275°F 3 minute Exposure time, 16 minute Drying
Dynamic Air Removal. Wrapped Utensils. 270°F - 275°F
270°F 4 minute Exposure time, 20 minute Drying time. 275°F 3 minute Exposure time, 16 minute Drying
Dynamic Air Removal. Textile Packs. 270°F - 275°F
270°F 4 minute Exposure time,5 - 20 minute Drying time. 275°F 3 minute Exposure time, 3 minute Drying
Express cycle / manufacturer preset
270°F exposure time of 4 minutes, drying time of 3 minutes, total cycle time of 12 minutes.
Hydrogen Peroxide / Gas Plasma
28 - 50 minutes
Gravity Air Displacement. Nonporous. Flash Cycle 270°F - 275°F
3 minute Exposure time, 0 - 1 minute drying time.
Dynamic Air Removal. unwrapped instruments. Flash Cycle. IUSS 270°F - 275°F
3 minute exposure time, No Drying time
Gravity Air Displacement. Textile packs. 250°F
30 minute Exposure time, 15 minute drying time.
Gravity Air Displacement. Wrapped Utensils. 250°F
30 minute Exposure time, 15-30 minute drying time.
Gravity Air Displacement. Wrapped instruments. 250°F
30 minute Exposure time, 15-30 minute drying time.
Dry heat. Most widely used temperature / time
320°F exposure time of 2 hours
Ozone
4 hours
what weight should a wrapped basin set not exceed
7 lbs
EtO aeration @ 140°F
8 hours
Ultrasonic cleaners bath temperatures for cleaning instrument should be between
80°F - 109°F
Gravity Air Displacement. Wrapped Instruments. Wrapped Utensils. @ 270°F - 275°F
@ 270°F 15 minute exposure time 15-30 minute drying. @ 275°F 10 Minute exposure time 30 minute drying.
Dynamic Air Removal. Unwrapped nonporous and porous items Mixed Load. Flash Cycle. IUSS 270°F - 275°F
@ 270°F 4 minute exposure time, No Drying time. @ 275°F 3 minute exposure time, No Drying.
Gravity Air Displacement. Textile Packs @ 270°F - 275°F
@270°F 25 minute exposure time 15 minute drying. @275°F 10 minute exposure time 30 minute drying.
Terminal Sterilization Cycles
Conditioning. Exposure. Exhaust. Drying.
Steam sterilization requires 4 conditions.
Contact between steam and microorganisms. Temperature: most commonly encountered 250 - 270 - 275. Time; Load most be exposed to temperature, and contact for adequate amount of time. Moisture; Dry saturated steam is mandatory for effective steam sterilization.
Printout from a steam sterilization cycle usually contains.
Date and time the cycle began. Selected cycle parameters and activities such as type of cycle, sterilization temperature, and dry times. A written record of actual cycle activities; Temperatures, exposure times, pressures.
OPA
High-level disinfection in 12 minutes at room temperature 68°F in a manual system. 5 minutes at 77°F in an automatic endoscope preprocessor.
Anatomy of a Steam Sterilizer.
Jacket. Door, gasket, and chamber Drain. Thermostatic Trap. Gauges and controls.
IUSS Dynamic air removal steam sterilization / prevacuum
Minimum exposure time and temp for unwrapped nonporous items 3 minutes @ 270°F - 275°F. nonporous, porous, items with lumens, mixed load 4 minutes @ 270°F, 3 minutes @ 275°F.
IUSS Gravity-displacement cycles, unwrapped porous and nonporous items.
Minimum exposure time and temp for unwrapped nonporous items; 3 minutes @ 270°F - 275°F. nonporous, porous, items with lumens, mixed loads; 10 minutes @ 270°F - 275°F
