26
6.4.2.
TEXTILES
While preparing textiles for treatment in the sterilizer, care must be taken that the folds in the
textiles are arranged in parallel, and that the items are packed side by side. This vertical
configuration ensures that channels can form between the textile folds for the air to flow out and
steam to flow in. Do not stack textiles on the top each other as this hinders the penetration of
steam into the packages of textiles.
Figure 7 - Loading textiles properly
When loading sterilization containers with textile items, care should be taken ensure that they
retain their vertical orientation, but that the items are not squashed together. This would prevent
the formation of flow channels for air and steam. If the packages of textiles cannot be kept
upright, then it might be advisable to wrap them in sterilization paper.
The textiles must not touch the sides or the base of the sterilization container, since they might
become saturated with condensate.
For good drying results, the textiles should also be as dry as possible when they are placed in the
autoclave. The heat stored in the chamber and sterilization container may not otherwise be
sufficient to evaporate both the moisture and the condensation.
6.4.3.
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.
6.4.4.
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
Summary of Contents for NC 300
Page 12: ...12 5 6 GENERAL PRESENTATION Figure 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8...
Page 18: ...18...
