Autoclaving in laboratories and medical institutions. The principle of operation of a home autoclave: instructions for use The principle of operation of an autoclave system

Sterilization by boiling.

Sterilization by boiling is carried out in a sterilizer. Distilled water is poured into the sterilizer, as tap water forms scale. (Glass objects are immersed in cold, metal objects in hot water with the addition of sodium bicarbonate). Sterilized items are boiled over low heat for 30-60 minutes. The beginning of sterilization is considered the moment of boiling water in the sterilizer. At the end of boiling, the instruments are taken with sterile tweezers, which are boiled along with the rest of the items.

Dry heat sterilization.

Sterilization by dry heat is carried out in a Pasteur oven. The material prepared for sterilization is placed on the shelves so that it does not come into contact with the walls. The closet is closed and after that the heating is turned on. The duration of sterilization at a temperature of 150°C is 2 hours, at 165°C - 1 hour, at 180°C - 40 minutes, at 200°C - 10-15 minutes (at 170°C paper and cotton wool turn yellow, and at a higher temperature charred). The beginning of sterilization is the moment when the temperature in the oven reaches the desired height. At the end of the sterilization period, the oven is turned off, but the cabinet doors are not opened until completely cooled, since the cold air entering the cabinet can cause cracks on hot dishes.

Steam sterilization under pressure.

Steam sterilization under pressure is carried out in an autoclave. The autoclave consists of two boilers inserted one into the other, a casing and a cover. The outer boiler is called a water-steam chamber, the inner one is called a sterilization chamber. Steam is produced in a steam boiler. The material to be sterilized is placed in the inner cauldron. There are small holes in the upper part of the sterilization kettle through which steam from the steam chamber passes. The lid of the autoclave is hermetically screwed to the casing. In addition to the listed main parts, the autoclave has a number of parts that regulate its operation: a pressure gauge, a water gauge glass, a safety valve, exhaust, air and condensate cocks. The pressure gauge is used to determine the pressure that is created in the sterilization chamber. Normal atmospheric pressure (760 mm Hg. Art.) is taken as zero, therefore, in an idle autoclave, the pressure gauge needle is at zero. There is a certain relationship between the pressure gauge readings and temperature (Table 1).

The red line on the gauge scale indicates the maximum working pressure that is allowed in the autoclave. The safety valve serves to protect against excessive pressure buildup. It is set to a predetermined pressure, that is, the pressure at which sterilization is to be carried out, when the pressure gauge arrow goes beyond the line, the autoclave valve automatically opens and releases excess steam, thereby slowing down the further rise in pressure.

On the side wall of the autoclave there is a gauge glass showing the water level in the steam boiler. On the tube of the water gauge glass, two horizontal lines are applied - the lower and the upper, indicating, respectively, the permissible lower and upper water levels in the water-steam chamber. The air cock is designed to remove air from the sterilization and water-steam chambers at the beginning of sterilization, since air, being a poor heat conductor, violates the sterilization regime. At the bottom of the autoclave there is a condensing cock to release the sterilization chamber from the condensate formed during the heating of the sterilized material.

Autoclave rules.

Before starting work, inspect the autoclave and instrumentation. In autoclaves with automatic steam control, the arrows on the electrovacuum manometer of the water vapor chamber are set in accordance with the sterilization mode: the lower arrow is set to 0.1 atm. lower, upper - by 0.1 atm. above the working pressure, the water-steam chamber is filled with water up to the upper mark of the measuring glass. During the period of filling with water, the valve on the pipe through which steam enters the chamber is kept open for free air to escape from the boiler. The sterilization chamber of the autoclave is loaded with the material to be sterilized. After that, the lid (or door) of the autoclave is closed, tightly fastened with a central lock or bolts; to avoid distortion, the bolts are screwed crosswise (in diameter). Then turn on the heating source (electric current, steam), closing the valve on the pipe connecting the steam source to the sterilization chamber. With the onset of vaporization and the creation of pressure in the water-steam chamber, a purge is performed (air is removed from the sterilization boiler). The method of removing air is determined by the design of the autoclave. At first, the air comes out in separate portions, then an even continuous stream of steam appears, indicating that the air has been completely expelled from the sterilization chamber. After removing the air, the valve is closed, and a gradual increase in pressure begins in the sterilization chamber.

The beginning of sterilization is the moment when the pressure gauge indicates the set pressure. After that, the heating intensity is reduced so that the pressure in the autoclave remains at the same level for the required time. At the end of the sterilization time, heating is stopped. Close the valve in the pipeline supplying steam to the sterilization chamber and open the valve on the condensate (downward) pipe to reduce the steam pressure in the chamber. After the pressure gauge needle drops to zero, slowly loosen the clamping devices and open the lid of the autoclave.

The temperature and duration of sterilization are determined by the quality of the material to be sterilized and the properties of the microorganisms with which it is infected.

Temperature control in the sterilization chamber is carried out periodically using bacteriological tests. Biotests are produced by the bacteriological laboratories of the Central Epidemiological Service. If these tests fail, the technical condition of the autoclave is checked.

Autoclaves are designed for steam sterilization of surgical instruments, dressings and bottled liquids. Large-capacity autoclaves are used for sterilization of overalls, barothermic treatment of roughage in order to increase their palatability and nutritional value.

Autoclaves operating under pressure of non-toxic, non-caustic and non-explosive media at a wall temperature not exceeding 200 ° C, in which the product of capacity and pressure does not exceed 980 665 Pa o m3, as well as autoclaves operating under pressure of caustic, toxic and explosive media at the same temperature, for which this product is not more than 49,033 Pa o m3, do not need to be registered with the Gosgortekhnadzor bodies.

Autoclaves are registered in a special book of accounting and examination of autoclaves, kept by a person responsible for the good condition and safe operation of autoclaves.

To work on an autoclave, persons who have reached the age of 18, have passed a medical examination and are recognized as fit for this type of work, specially trained and certified by the qualification commission, are allowed. The knowledge of the autoclave is checked at least once every six years, and re-instruction is carried out once every 3 months.

Autoclaves are installed in separate rooms, according to the area that meets the requirements of Building Codes and Rules. Such a room should have natural lighting, transoms or vents, as well as supply and exhaust ventilation. The door of the autoclave should only open outward and not be locked with a key during operation. Glazed doors are not allowed. The floor in the autoclave must be made of non-conductive material.

The autoclave is installed at a distance of at least 0.8 m from the wall and reliably grounded. Autoclaves must be equipped with:

a pressure gauge located on the housing fitting or on the pipeline to the shut-off valves or on the control panel;

a safety valve installed on a branch pipe or water pipeline directly connected to the autoclave;

shut-off valves on pipelines supplying and discharging water from the autoclave, and on pipelines supplying steam to the autoclave;

a device (valve, tap) for checking the absence of pressure in the autoclave before opening it;

a thermometer mounted on a branch pipe directly connected to the autoclave, or on a control panel;

an automatic control device on the steam supply pipeline with a pressure gauge and a safety valve on the lower pressure side after the reducing device; a pressure gauge must also be installed upstream of the reducing device.

In case of violation of the rules for operating autoclaves, an explosion may occur, the causes of which may be:

malfunction of the pressure gauge or safety valve, resulting in an excess of steam pressure above the maximum allowable;

coating the walls with rust or a thick layer of scale;

ingress of fat into the feed water (environment);

operation by untrained personnel or leaving the autoclave unattended.

It is forbidden to turn on the autoclave if the grounding device, safety valve or pressure gauge are faulty; the autoclave jacket is cracked, leaking steam, or not filled with water to the correct level.

At the end of sterilization, the autoclave is turned off and the steam-air cock located on the lid is opened. After the pressure drops to zero (determined by the pressure gauge), loosen the folding bolts crosswise. Then carefully lift the lid of the autoclave, avoiding thermal burns of hands and face, which are sources of heated surfaces and steam. Screw in the hinged bolts. It is forbidden to leave the autoclave unattended during operation and to raise the steam pressure beyond the allowable one. Inspection of the autoclave by the enterprise should be carried out every 60 loads, but at least once every 4 months. The results are recorded in the autoclave operating log. The operation of the double safety valve is checked at least once a month, the safety valve - at least once every 6 months, and pressure gauges - annually.

Instrument sterilization is a necessity in the medical field and cosmetology. For this, special equipment is used. Autoclaves are the most common. They can have different performance, design, technical features.
In cosmetology and medicine, three types of autoclaves are used:

• columned;
• horizontal;
• vertical.

Each device is equipped with a heat exchanger (external or internal), a special mixing device. The latter can be mechanical, electromagnetic, pneumatic. Maintenance and repair of the autoclave is carried out by the master, taking into account its design and technical features.

Features of the use and repair of autoclaves

There are certain requirements for sterilization equipment. First of all, it must be serviceable and efficient. Autoclaves are used in areas where the sterility of the instrument means a lot. Accordingly, the condition of sterilization equipment must be carefully monitored.

Maintenance and repair of autoclaves should be carried out as planned. During maintenance, specialized specialists assess the condition of sterilization equipment, reveal hidden defects in parts, and diagnose the performance of components. If necessary, worn elements are replaced with new ones. Scheduled component repairs are also carried out.

Autoclave repair is a task for professionals

Maintenance, modernization, restoration of sterilization equipment must be carried out by specialists of the appropriate profile. The work is carried out both at the facility using equipment in Moscow or another city with the departure of the master, and at the service center.

Diagnostics, examination, repair of the autoclave require special equipment and tools, certain knowledge and skills. It is necessary to trust the performance of diagnostic and repair work to professionals.

Glory Med Service engineers and technicians will perform the full range of necessary service work with a guarantee of the quality of the result. We service autoclaves of all common brands and models. Cooperation with clients is carried out on contractual terms.

We also perform testing, commissioning of sterilization equipment during the modernization of the material and technical base in a medical institution, a cosmetology room.

Question answer

Question #260

Sanzhiev Aldar Nikolaevich asked a question on the topic: autoclave repair

Good afternoon, please tell me how much it will cost to repair an autoclave in the city of Tomsk? along with all the costs? We need to carry out diagnostics, disassembly, repair of pressure gauge, maintenance of control valve, repair of emergency valve, cleaning of expansion barrel, cleaning of hydraulic pipes, assembly of autoclave, and test operation of autoclave. Can I please throw off the Commercial offer, to pay for your services, to settle the price with the authorities?

Question #260 answered GloriMedEstetik Sergey Nikolaevich, Leading Engineer

Good afternoon. We have a service center only in Moscow. You can send it to us for diagnosis and repair. The exact price can be said only after the diagnosis.

Maxim continued the question on the topic: autoclave repair

To make canned food tasty, choose only fresh and high-quality products. Rinse glass jars, fill them with prescription products and seal tightly with metal lids. Autoclave jars do not need to be pre-sterilized.

Loading jars into the autoclave

Place the closed jars on the rack at the bottom of the autoclave. You can install jars in the autoclave in several layers. The next row of jars can be placed directly on the lids of the previous row.

If the autoclave is equipped with special clamping cassettes, the jars are installed in them according to the instructions that come with the device.

Attention! Important! Only jars of the same type with the same lids should be placed in one layer!

Then pour cold water into the autoclave so that the free space up to the top edge of the device is approximately 3-4 cm.

Preservation in an autoclave

Close the cover of the device, make sure that the sealing ring is present. Close the lid. To ensure that the cover does not warp to the side, and it lies flat, tighten the nuts crosswise.

If the autoclave is supplied without cassettes that compensate for the pressure difference in the jars and the apparatus, pump air into the tank with a pump through the “nipple” until the pressure gauge shows 1 atm with an automobile or any other pump. The creation of pressure in the autoclave up to 1 atm is necessary to maintain the integrity of the cans, since when heated, a difference in pressure is formed in the autoclave itself and inside the cans, and to check the tightness of the connection between the lid and the body.

If the autoclave is supplied with special pressure cassettes, pre-pumping is not necessary.

Turn on the heat. As it heats up, the pressure in the device will increase, which we need - 0.4 MPa, it corresponds to 120 ° C. When the autoclave is heated to the desired temperature, the jars must be kept in this mode for the recommended time for canned products. For example, for meat, it is about an hour, canned vegetables in an autoclave will be ready after 20 minutes of sterilization at the same temperature, pickled mushrooms must be cooked for 40-50 minutes at a temperature of at least 110 degrees.

Completion of sterilization

After the required time has elapsed, gradually reduce the pressure, gradually reducing the heat until the heat source is completely turned off. Allow the unit to cool down to a temperature of no more than 30°C, then slowly release the pressure with the nipple. Do not allow sudden heating and cooling, a sharp release and increase in pressure - the cans may open.

Before opening the lid, check the pressure relief valve to make sure that the pressure in the autoclave and outside is equal. If nothing happened, you can safely open the lid.

Canned food is ready!

Open the lid and remove the jars. One bookmark and bringing canned food to cooking takes 3-3.5 hours. As a rule, experienced people do this in the afternoon and turn off the autoclave in the evening and then leave it to cool in this position until the morning.

As the sun rises, you can take out ready-made jars, which will then be a wonderful delicacy to your table!

After you have studied the instructions for using the autoclave, you can start cooking dishes, including: fish and meat stews, vegetable preparations, homemade pickles, jams and marmalades.

Sterilization modes

1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR LABOR PROTECTION
1.1. The following persons are allowed to service sterilizers (autoclaves):
– not younger than 18 years old;
- passed a preliminary medical examination;
– having a certificate of completion of training and certification in the safe maintenance of sterilizers within the established time limits;
– having the I group on electrical safety;
- passed introductory briefing and primary briefing at the workplace.
An employee is allowed to self-service sterilizers after an internship for 8-12 shifts and testing knowledge of safe methods and techniques for performing work.
Repeated briefing of workers servicing sterilizers takes place 1 time in 3 months. Periodic certification for knowledge of safety requirements for servicing sterilizers is carried out once a year.
1.2. When working in sterilization departments, the following harmful and dangerous factors may affect the employee:
– elevated temperature of surfaces of equipment, materials;
– increased air temperature of the working area;
- increased air humidity;
- increased voltage in the electrical circuit, the closure of which can pass through the human body.
1.3. The employee must report any accident at the workplace to his/her immediate supervisor.

2. HEALTH REQUIREMENTS BEFORE STARTING WORK
2.1. Before starting work, put on sanitary clothing, put your hair under a headdress. It is not allowed to stab sanitary clothes with needles, keep breaking and sharp objects in the pockets of clothes. It is not allowed to work without shoes.
2.2. Prepare the personal protective equipment, tools and devices necessary for the performance of the forthcoming work, check their serviceability.
2.3. Check the presence and serviceability of protective earthing, safety valves, blocking devices and instrumentation. Electric sterilizers must be connected to the mains through an autonomous switch or circuit breaker. Plugging the sterilizer into a power outlet is not allowed.
2.4. Check the correctness of the manometers. Pressure gauges are not allowed to be used in cases where:
– there is no seal or stamp;
– the term of check of the manometer is overdue;
- the pressure gauge needle does not return to the zero reading of the scale when it is turned off;
– the glass is broken or there are other damages to the pressure gauge, which may affect the correctness of its readings.
2.5. All noticed violations of labor protection requirements at the workplace, as well as malfunctions of equipment, devices, tools and personal protective equipment must be immediately reported to the immediate supervisor and work must not be started until they are eliminated.

3. HEALTH REQUIREMENTS DURING WORK
3.1. Sterilizer personnel are prohibited from:
give steam to the sterilizer or turn on the heating with the lid loose;
turn on the sterilizer in case of insufficient water level or lack of water in the steam generator tank;
open the lid of the sterilizer or loosen its fastening in case of excess pressure in the sterilizer;
work on a sterilizer that has defects that reduce its strength and stability;
work on the sterilizer after the expiration of the hydraulic test and pressure gauge checks;
leave the sterilizer unattended during its operation.
3.2. It is allowed to open the door of the sterilizer when sterilizing any solutions in it no earlier than 30 minutes after the end of sterilization, being careful.
3.3. The sterilizer must be stopped:
– if the pressure in the sterilizer rises above the permitted level;
– in case of malfunctions of safety valves;
- if cracks, bulges, gaps in welds or their fogging, leaks in bolted joints, gasket rupture are found in the elements of the sterilizer working under pressure;
- when the liquid level drops below the permissible level;
- in the event of a fire;
- in case of malfunction or incomplete number of parts of the covers;
- in case of malfunction of safety interlocks, measuring instruments and automation equipment.

4. REQUIREMENTS OF LABOR PROTECTION IN EMERGENCY SITUATION
4.1. In the event of an emergency, turn off the equipment, notify the surrounding people about the danger, report to the immediate supervisor about the incident and act in accordance with his instructions.
4.2. In case of fire or fire, immediately inform the fire brigade by phone - 01, start extinguishing the fire with the available primary fire extinguishing equipment, report the fire to the immediate supervisor.
4.3. Provide first aid to victims of injury, poisoning, sudden acute illness, following the instructions "" (I 01-2014), if necessary, call an ambulance by phone - 03.

5. REQUIREMENTS FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY AFTER THE END OF WORK
5.1. Turn off the equipment, make sure that there is no pressure in the sterilizers.
5.2. Make appropriate entries in the maintenance log.
5.3. Report all deficiencies discovered during work to the immediate supervisor.