sterilization using OR flasher

[ewhite]

Has anyone ever sterilized instrument trays or peel packs using the OR flashers? If so, please respond on your process. Pleaserespond referencing pros and cons in this process. Thank you all. I need information as soon as possible. ewhite :confused:

[jluten]

Flashing should be done in the proper container or an open container. The flash cycle is not made for regular containers or peel packs. We use a flash pak which is made especially for flashing item and keeps them sterile during transport to the room. Flashing should only be done in an emergency. Prevac cycle does not take very long especially when using one tray in an OR sterilizer. We noticed that many OR staff confused the prevac and flash cycle. Make sure they are actually clear on what they are asking. We flash 270 degrees for 5 minutes although we were told 4 was appropiate. Many changes over the past year and 1/2 have led us to more details about processing in the OR . Before, CS only sterilized the OR trays, OR workroom staff actually packaged the trays and used the OR sterilizers. We were seperate at that time. Many eyes were opened!

[chipmoore]

Back to the basics: Flash sterilzation means processing unwrapped items, 3 minutes exposure at 132-135 deg C for nonporous items, 10 minutes for porous items in a gravity cycle. Expectation is wet items upon completion, thus the transportation for use issue. When using a vac cycle for unwrapped items, only 3-4 minutes exposure required @ 135 or 132 C respectively, w/ little or no dry time selected for both porous and nonporous items. Check the sterilizer Mfg Intended Use Instruction for number of trays and weights per cycle, plus FDA cleared cycle types for loads. When using containers for the flash process, check device Mfg instructions for cycle type, times and temps. The major issue for the flash process is standards for cleaning prior to the cycle, plus transportation for immediate use.
Chip Moore
Getinge
Rochester, NY

[cmacisaac]

Hi,
When you speak of an OR Flasher, do you mean a regular autoclave using the Flash cycle? Or do you have a specific sterilizer for flashing? We are being asked to sterilize rigid scopes in a Stattim 5000 sterilizer but is being told this is not flashing. Is anyone else using the autoclavable rigid scopes and reprocessing in a Stattim or autoclave for immediate use?
Cindy

[johnfmartin]

You can use a flash autoclave for both peel packs and trays. I would not recommend it only for the economies of scale issues. You set the cycle to include a longer dry time equivalent to your terminal larger capacity sterilizers.
Using it for doing trays is not economical since you cannot put much in there. Peel packs would be fine since you can get more in them. Just make sure your load documentation is the same as the terminal sterilizers.

[triciams]

What is considered porous. I was always taught that any instrument that had anything that was not all metal, i.e., thick color coating, color coding tape, silicone, etc. needed to be flashed for ten minutes. These items don't strike me as being porous though.