Validation is the key to autoclave performance

摘要

Sterilisation is critical to many of the activities that are carried out in cleanrooms, from life science research to contact lens manufacturing, and steam sterilisation using an autoclave is the preferred technique. A failure of product sterilisation has far-reaching consequences, but a failure of a laboratory steriliser can produce spurious results causing unnecessary product wastage or loss of research data. How can you be certain that your autoclave is working properly? When using steam for sterilisation, it is critical to know that the correct pressure and temperature have been reached and that both parameters have been held for long enough to ensure the total destruction of any microorganisms, bacteria and spores. This means that the instrumentation (temperature and pressure sensors and timers) that controls your autoclave must be functioning correctly and producing accurate readings. In other words, they must be properly calibrated.