3M Steri-Vac GS Series, Operator'Smanual

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3. Safety
The 3M™ Steri-Vac™ Sterilizer/Aerator GS Series was developed with the safety of operators and patients in mind. The GS Series sterilizers are designed with state-of-the-art safety features
that include:
• Hardware and mechanical components of the GS Series sterilizers meet or exceed the compliance requirements of current, recognized national and international safety standards including
applicable sections of IEC 61010-1 (2010), IEC 61010-2-010 (2014), IEC 61010-2-040 (2015) and ANSI/AAMI ST24, and EN1422.
• The sterilization process is performed completely under a vacuum. If the system integrity is compromised during ethylene oxide (EO) gas exposure, room air will enter the chamber. In this
situation, the system will detect a rise in pressure and will safely cancel the cycle when the system cannot maintain a vacuum. Sterilization and aeration can be conducted within the same
chamber. Aeration in the sterilization chamber eliminates the need to transfer product loads outside the sterilization chamber when longer aeration times are required.
• EO sterilant is delivered in single-dose cartridges placed inside the sterilization chamber. The use of single-dose cartridges reduces the risk of leaking ethylene oxide delivery lines and EO
tank changes and provides increased control of sterilant quality.
• GS Series sterilizers are designed with an internal processor that automatically controls and independently monitors the physical process parameters to ensure sterilization conditions are
maintained throughout the sterilization cycle. The GS Series sterilizers’ embedded software regulates, independently monitors, and records critical sterilization process parameters including
pressure, temperature, and percent relative humidity (%RH) during conditioning.
• Automatic fault notification and safe state recovery processes provide additional protection for the Operator. If the GS Series sterilizer detects a cycle fault, an error message will alert the
Operator. Additionally, an optional audible notification will accompany the error code message. Immediately after detecting a fault, the GS Series sterilizer will automatically complete an error
recovery process to bring the sterilizer to a safe-state prior to further action.
• GS Series sterilizers are designed with a state-of-the-art proprietary humidification process. In the Conditioning stage of the sterilization cycle, GS Series sterilizers contain a custom
3M designed humidification process that adds, measures, adapts, and controls %RH to accommodate different loads and packaging materials to achieve proper humidification prior to EO
gas injection.
• Control and monitor sensors detect critical sterilization process parameters. GS Series sterilizers have control sensors for temperature, %RH, and pressure that provide information to the
control embedded software. The sterilizer has a duplicate set of monitoring sensors that provide independent data and performance monitoring to an independent monitoring processor
during critical sterilization stages for temperature, %RH, and pressure.
• Over-the-door vent hood (i.e. exhaust hood) supplements the room’s directional air flow, and draws air away from Operators removing a load from the chamber.
• The GS Series sterilizers are designed with a specialized disposal cycle for full damaged, expired, or excess 3M™ Steri-Gas™ EO Gas Cartridges. The Cartridge Dispose Cycle is a custom,
abbreviated cycle that safely empties and aerates the Steri-Gas EO Gas Cartridges at a rate of one per cycle. Disposal cycles have restricted access to a Supervisor PIN only.
The GS Series sterilizers and their related devices and accessories are designed to provide safe and reliable service when used according to the provided instructions for use. Please read,
understand, and follow all safety information contained in the instructions for use prior to using a sterilizer. Use this equipment only for the purpose described in this Operator Manual. Retain
these instructions for future reference. If this equipment is used in a manner not specified, the protection provided by the equipment may be impaired.
In addition, recommended practices for the safe and effective use of EO are also contained in the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation ANSI/AAMI ST41: Ethylene oxide
sterilization in health care facilities: Safety and effectiveness .
It is the user’s facility management’s responsibility to ensure that all personnel who operate or maintain the equipment are trained in its operation and safe use. There are no formal safety
inspections required by the Operator. It is the user’s facility management’s responsibility to assure safety inspections are complete. Contact your local 3M Health Care service personnel or
authorized 3M service personnel for required safety inspections.
DANGER: To reduce the risks associated with exposure to ethylene oxide:
It is the user’s facility management’s responsibility to ensure that all personnel working with toxic chemicals, gases, and vapors are given comprehensive instruction in their use. This instruction
includes information on relevant health hazards, national regulations, methods for safe use, and methods to detect the escape of the agent.
It is the user’s facility management’s responsibility to ensure regular training of all personnel involved with the operation and maintenance of the equipment, including emergency procedures
for any toxic, flammable, or explosive material released into the environment and to maintain records of attendance and evidence of demonstrated understanding from training sessions.
National regulation regarding limitations on airborne EO concentration in the workplace exist in the United States and may exist in your country or region as well.
Good practice should include a risk analysis of the EO gas sterilization processes, a written Emergency Response Plan, and an Employee Notification plan for EO leaks.
The following warnings and precautions should be observed to avoid unsafe actions that could result in personal injury or damage to the instrument.