Autoclave pressure: How does it work? 5 things medical staff should know

02-08-2023

Celitron’s next article focuses on one of the crucial components of autoclaves: pressure. How does it work and what should every medical professional be aware of?

In the fast-paced world of modern medicine, maintaining the highest standards of sterilization is paramount. Autoclaves play a pivotal role in ensuring the safety of medical equipment and instruments.

In this article, we aim to demystify the operation of steam sterilizers and highlight crucial insights. Whether you're an experienced practitioner or a novice, here are the 5 things medical staff should know about autoclave pressure!

The science behind autoclave pressure: How does it work?

Let's delve deeper into how autoclave pressure works and why it's so effective in ensuring the safety of medical equipment!

1. The role of pressure in sterilization

Autoclave pressure is a critical component of the sterilization process because it directly affects the behavior of water and steam. When water is subjected to higher pressure levels, its boiling point increases. This means that under increased pressure, water can reach much higher temperatures than 100 degrees Celsius before transitioning into steam.

2. Superheated steam

The elevated temperatures achieved through autoclave pressure create what is known as superheated steam. As the temperature rises within the autoclave chamber, water turns into steam. This steam is much hotter than regular boiling water (ranging between 121 and 134 degrees Celsius) and holds immense energy. When superheated steam comes into contact with certain surfaces, it transfers its energy, effectively killing bacteria, viruses, and spores that might be present on medical equipment.

3. Destroying microorganisms

Microorganisms have varying heat resistance levels. Some are quite sensitive to heat, while others are more resilient. The high temperature and pressure achieved in autoclaves are designed to target even the most heat-resistant microorganisms. The combination of heat and pressure disrupts the structures of these pathogens, rendering them incapable of reproducing and causing infections.

4. Autoclave pressure settings: a controlled and precise process

Modern autoclaves like Celitron’s models are equipped with advanced controls that allow medical staff to fine-tune pressure levels according to the specific requirements of each load. This control ensures that the pressure is precisely calibrated to achieve effective sterilization while preventing damage to delicate equipment.

High pressure ensures thorough sterilization, while excessive pressure could harm delicate instruments. This is also why certain items need to be wrapped before being loaded into the autoclave.

Up to 20 different cycles can be custom-designed according to your medical facility's needs with Celitron’s autoclaves.

5. The Importance of steam penetration: autoclave pressure and vacuum cycles (class B)

One of the challenges in sterilization is ensuring that heat and steam can penetrate all surfaces of the items being sterilized. Autoclave pressure plays a significant role in this regard. The elevated pressure helps steam reach into crevices, small openings, and intricate details of medical instruments, ensuring thorough sterilization even in hard-to-reach areas.

One of the greatest obstacles for steam is the presence of air. This is why before steam is introduced into the autoclave’s chamber, air is gradually removed from it.

This is mainly done via two different methods:

1. Gravity displacement cycles
2. Vacuum cycles (class B autoclaves)

Gravity displacement represents more basic autoclave models. While they are still effective at treating flat medical instruments, they cannot treat more complex loads and need more time to finish the sterilization process. This is because air is only partially removed from the chamber.

In contrast, vacuum cycles represent the most advanced types of autoclaves available on the market, also known as class B steam sterilizers. Thanks to a powerful vacuum pump, the air is COMPLETELY removed from the chamber. This also greatly speeds up the process without hindering efficiency. In fact, thanks to the lack of air, steam can penetrate every part of the load even more easily. This allows them to treat both wrapped and unwrapped materials, porous items, as well as textile-based medical items.

At Celitron, all of our autoclaves fall under the class B category that operates based on vacuum cycles, regardless of capacity and size. This means we can provide the same consistent quality for all medical facilities, whether you need an onsite solution for a large hospital or a smaller clinic.

Available models:

• Azteca A large autoclaves
• Azteca AC medium autoclaves
• STING 11B small tabletop autoclaves
• Integrated Sterilizer and Shredder (ISS) for disposal of sharps and other waste

Autoclave pressure: 5 things medical staff should know about

1. Proper loading is crucial

Why is proper loading important?

Loading an autoclave correctly might seem like a straightforward task, but it's more intricate than it appears. The arrangement of items inside the autoclave chamber significantly impacts the efficiency of the sterilization process. When items are placed too closely together, the steam might not be able to circulate freely, leading to uneven heat distribution. This uneven heat can result in incomplete sterilization and compromise patient safety.

Best practices for loading

Medical staff should be well-versed in the art of proper loading. Larger items should be placed at the bottom, while smaller ones should be elevated to allow steam to reach all surfaces. Adequate spacing between items ensures that steam can effectively penetrate and sterilize even hard-to-reach areas. Loading trays and racks designed for autoclaves can aid in maintaining proper spacing and organization.

2. Regular maintenance is a must for adequate autoclave pressure

Why is regular maintenance essential?

Autoclaves are intricate pieces of equipment with multiple components that work together to achieve effective sterilization. Over time, mineral deposits, known as scale, can accumulate within the autoclave chamber and plumbing. These deposits hinder steam generation, leading to decreased autoclave pressure and temperature levels.

Regular maintenance should be performed according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Generally, autoclaves should undergo routine maintenance at least once every six months, or more frequently with heavy use.

Maintenance tasks:

Scheduled maintenance should include descaling the autoclave chamber, checking the pressure release valves, and inspecting the gaskets and seals for wear and tear. Monitoring temperature and autoclave pressure gauges for accuracy is also crucial. By adhering to a maintenance schedule, medical staff can prolong the lifespan of the autoclave and maintain its efficacy.

Fortunately, the self and remote diagnosis features of Celitron’s autoclaves make maintenance much less of a hassle. You can also rely on our reliable after-sales service.

3. Packaging matters because of autoclave pressure and steam

How does packaging affect sterilization?

The choice of packaging materials significantly influences the effectiveness of autoclave sterilization. Porous materials, such as cloth wraps, can trap air pockets, preventing steam from fully reaching the surfaces of the items being sterilized. This can lead to inadequate sterilization and pose a risk to patient safety. On the other hand, proper packaging materials allow steam to flow freely and ensure thorough sterilization.

Choosing the right packaging:

Medical staff should use packaging materials designed for autoclave sterilization, such as autoclave bags and pouches. These materials are permeable to steam and allow efficient sterilization. It's essential to package items in a way that minimizes air pockets and ensures optimal steam penetration.

4. Cooling phase: Patience is key because of autoclave pressure

Why is patience necessary during the cooling phase?

After the sterilization cycle is complete, the autoclave enters a cooling phase to gradually release pressure and temperature. Rushing to open the autoclave door before it has cooled down can lead to sudden autoclave pressure changes. These abrupt changes can not only damage the equipment but also compromise the sterilized items, rendering the entire process ineffective.

Cooling down properly:

Medical staff should exercise patience during the cooling phase. Celitron’s autoclaves have safety mechanisms that prevent the door from opening until the internal autoclave pressure has reached a safe level.

5. Validation and documentation of autoclave pressure levels

Why is validation and documentation essential?

In the healthcare field, documentation is critical for maintaining accountability and adhering to quality standards. Validating autoclave pressure cycles confirms that the equipment is functioning correctly and consistently achieving sterilization. Comprehensive documentation of sterilization processes and validation results provides evidence of compliance with safety protocols and helps ensure patient safety.

Maintaining proper documentation:

Medical staff should maintain detailed records of autoclave cycles, including cycle parameters, temperatures, and autoclave pressure readings. Additionally, biological indicators should be used periodically to validate the sterilization process. These indicators contain spores that are resistant to the sterilization process; if they are eliminated, it confirms the effectiveness of the autoclave.

All of Celitron’s autoclaves can be connected to your PC for external documentation and printing.

Interested in learning more about autoclave pressure settings and specifications? CONTACT CELITRON for answers and a free quote for your medical facility!