Sterilization Wait Time

[boxmk]

Just wanted to see if there is anyone out there who is able to remove their instrumentation from the steam sterilizers immediatly after the door has been opened. If so, what sterilizer are you using and how long is the dry time on your cycle. Also, do you know of any literature out there to support either using or not using a "waiting" period before removing items from a steam sterlizer?

Thanks for your replies!

[Tracy Humphreys]

You would want o still give adequate cool down time. When I wzs using the Steris P160 we did not have to wait too long but the dry time was 40 minutes and if they need something immediately they used sterile gloves and towels to remove items and placed them on a cart that had several layers of towels on it to insulate it against hot touching cool that will result in wicking through and the set will then be unsterile.

Hope this helps,
Tracy B. Humphreys BS, CRCST, CSPDT
CPD Manager

[debbie]

In theory the wait time is to acclimate the heat of the sterilizer with the outside elements to avoid condensation and wet packs. I use Amsco Eagle 3000 seriers and I do not crack the door and wait 15 minutes after the load has finished. We wait 15min after we put the load in and then start it. I have timers by each sterilizer so the staff do not forget. We have a 20 min dry time and do not have wet pack issues.

again I really do what everyone does just backwards. I have my instruments warm up before I start the sterilizer.

[chipmoore]

We usually refer to the wait time as "Bake Time", which is using the warmth of the heated sterilizer jacket to aid the cycle. A pre-Bake seems like a valid technique because it take energy and resulting condensation to heat the load during the preconditiong phase and should the load be at a temperature higher than the room temp at the beginning of the cycle, in theory, there should be less condensation created during the cycle. As for the post bake time, I view this as a band aid to mask other related issues (wet steam, sterilizer performance or load type). There is another sacred cow, should the door remain cracked after the cycle or WIDE open. And it's near impossible to get old timers to change techniques even if it improves things.
For those of you who like to know a little about the sterilization process, here's some info. The Dry phase begins once the chamber goes sub atmospheric. For the best drying, a vacuum depth of less than 1 psia should be reached within 5-7 minutes after going negative in the chamber(evaporating condensate) and acheive a vacuum depth of around 0.5 psia or less for the duration of the dry time. Ask your local service rep to show you on actual units/measuring devices. Dry time in excess of 30 minutes doesn't really help dry the load any better and all things being equal, a dry time of 20 minutes should be just fine. Did you know you can actually smell a dry load.
I say "all things being equal" because they are not. Steam quality varies, load types and methods of loading vary, tray set weights vary (can you believe 35+ lb trays, really) and multi layer plastic trays that lack proper drainage adds to the complexity of determining a dry time for each facility. Then add in the fact that everyone has different tactile feel when determining dampness of a wicking towel (e.g. basin sets). Measuring the towell weight before the cycle and after is a scientific method (should be around 1.5% weight gain and no visible signs of moisture regardless).
Finally, the load should remain on the sterilizer cart after the cycle till it's at room temp before handling.
Hope some of this helps,
Chip Moore
Getinge
Rochester, NY

[sonny1388]

As I understand it, and to make a long story short, we "crack" our sterilizers before pulling the instruments out for 5-10mins as to prevent the hot packs coming in contact with cool air and accumulating condensation. We used to let the internal temperature come down to about 135 before pulling them out, but have found waiting that long to be unnecessary. As far as I know, there are no sterilizers where this isn't necessary, the internal temps of the sterilizers don't come down far enough without the door being opened. As another point, the instruments should not be removed from the sterilizer carts until they are COMPLETELY cool. Touching a warm pack while it is warm can result in internal condensation accumulation.

[kevizhere]

in our facility we crack the door and wait about 30 minits before removing the load, and as you all know in our busy dept.s somtimes it stays there longer than that. the door is cracked about 10 " . as for using an item right after the cycle has finished we discourage this practice , but once in awhile it does happen and we use sterile gloves and wrap it a towl and do not set it on a cold surface and it is used right away.