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9.3.3 Instruments _____________________________________________________________________
Where appropriate, instruments should be disassembled before placing them in the autoclave, as this will
improve the drying results.
The use of lubricants (such as instrument oil) should be avoided unless absolutely necessary. Prior
confirmation should be obtained from the manufacturer of such agents that they are in fact suitable for steam
sterilization. Substances which are hydrophobic or impenetrable for steam can not only lead to poor drying
results, but may also mean that the steam sterilization is unsuccessful, since not only the instruments are
protected but also micro-organisms.
9.3.4
Loading the autoclave ____________________________________________________________
Textiles and instruments should not be sterilized together in one sterilization container. Textiles and
instruments in separate sterilization containers should as far as possible not be sterilized in the same load.
However, where this is unavoidable for economic or other reasons, the following rules should be observed:
Instruments and sterilization containers should be placed at the bottom
Textiles should always be placed at the top
Transparent sterilization packages and paper sterilization packages should be placed at the top
(except when in combination with textiles, in which case they must be at the bottom).
Loading the autoclave
9.3.5 Loading
containers
with
soft sterilization packing material______________________________
"Soft“ sterilization packages such as paper bags or transparent sterilization packages can be sterilized either
in sterilization containers or sterilization baskets. To enable better drying, arrange such soft sterilization
packages side-by-side and close to each other. This allows condensation to run off the packages, while at
the same time preventing them from expanded excessively, and possibly bursting at the seams.
Packing “soft“ sterilization packages in sterilization containers
Textiles
Instruments
Instruments
Textiles
Textiles
Textiles
Instruments
Instruments
A
B
A
B
