Re-wrapping of load

[djw]

We are currently in discussion with our manager over what to do if a load does not finish a cycle. If the load is only in charge-and aborts due to not reaching temp-does the load need to be re-wrapped to be run? Under what circumstances does a load need to be re-wrapped to be run?

[sonny1388]

As far as I am concerned, (although I am not in any way implying that I am an authority on the subject!), the only load that does not need to be re wrapped is a cycle that has completed the dry cycle, but alarms at the very end (too long in evac). Anything else will have excess amounts of water/condensation inside the pack as well as in the fibers of the wrap to be re-ran. If you can't abort the cycle and still consider the contents to be sterile, you will have to re-wrap. Like I said, I'm not an authority, and that is just how it is done here. Might try to find some paperwork stating the same.

[Diane]

If our sterilizer alarms where the temp is to low we know that one of our boilers is not working. If this happens in the conditioning phase we do not open the sterilizer, we acknowledge the alarm on the screen or just let the alarm go and call our maintenance department they restart the boiler or what ever needs to be done and the sterilizer will restart where it left off and continue. If it happens in the sterilization phase we abort the cycle, and its a do over. We have had no problems.

[djw]

We have ALWAYS re-wrapped our loads if the load was in the sterilizer for any amount of time before it aborted. The problem that has come up specifically is- we had some loads that ran at 269.9 degrees, but they do not alarm and abort. We are now being told that as long as we do not open the autoclave door, we are not "contaminating" the load, and all we have to do is re-start and run it over again. This goes against EVERYTHING we have ever been lead to believe to be correct. Has something changed we are not aware of? If nothing else, one of the problems we could have is "superheating", scorching and charring of any linen in the load (all of our trays have at least one towel in them) and according to the latest edition of the Central Service manual, sterilization failure. Is there anything written as a standard and not a recommendation we could show to our manager? Any help appreciated. Thanks :confused:

[Diane]

This is why it is very important that you check your print out. I also believe that technology in regards to sterilizers has advanced just as surgical procedures do from time to time. The sterilizers can just about tell you what went wrong at what time and how to deal with it.