Best way to sterilise instruments?

Re: Best way to sterilise instruments?

BengalcatRVN — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 23:33:01 GMT

Ours is an old girl, still going strong. Bit of washing up daily around the seal to keep it working. Bit of TLC, not forcing the door shut, doing only 1 kit at a time. She still be workin' hard! Bless 'em.

Re: Best way to sterilise instruments?

Sal the 1st — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 22:14:54 GMT

sounds like the door was opened when there was still some pressure in the chamber - have seen this happen with one of the mark one little sisters. was a shame because it was a cracking little autoclave but totally buggered after that

Re: Best way to sterilise instruments?

SmegSlayer — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 22:07:01 GMT

colleague opened the door and suddenly there was an almighty bang- the door just came away in her hand! Quite funny but also a little scary at the same time!

Re: Best way to sterilise instruments?

Kerry Spain — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:15:51 GMT

[quote user="SmegSlayer"]

door dropped off it a few months back

[/quote]

hahahaha made me laugh

Re: Best way to sterilise instruments?

SmegSlayer — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 18:44:54 GMT

As I said ours is at least 35-40yrs old- door dropped off it a few months back, occasionally overheats.

It seems dinosaurs are alive and well and far from extinct

Re: Best way to sterilise instruments?

Claire Cameron — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:02:20 GMT

[quote user="kezzathecat"]

Gosh! Our autoclave is around 20 years old and still going!! I can only remember it breaking down once or twice in the last 16 years!

[/quote]

Yeah ours is an old dinosaur too! Second hand but works a treat

Re: Best way to sterilise instruments?

Claire Cameron — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:02:19 GMT

[quote user="kezzathecat"]

Gosh! Our autoclave is around 20 years old and still going!! I can only remember it breaking down once or twice in the last 16 years!

[/quote]

Yeah ours is an old dinosaur too! Second hand but works a treat

Re: Best way to sterilise instruments?

Kerry Spain — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 13:48:43 GMT

Gosh! Our autoclave is around 20 years old and still going!! I can only remember it breaking down once or twice in the last 16 years!

Re: Best way to sterilise instruments?

Vicky RVN — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:50:52 GMT

[quote user="Maisy"]My practice at the moment is using a Burtons Instaclave and this has been fine and behaves as it should.[/quote]

We have this one too! Works fine for us

Re: Best way to sterilise instruments?

Maisy — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:45:29 GMT

[quote user="SmegSlayer"]

At one practice I worked we had a really good large one. I can't remember the make but you put water in the bottom, the put a false bottom in. The kits were is autoclave envelopes and then went into 3 large baskets (looked like deep fat fryer baskets only larger and round). THe lid was then tightened and it was turned on.

[/quote]

I know what you mean, except I disliked those with a passion! Not the easiest or mose straight forward piece of equipment.

Have always used Burtons to service our autoclaves, and they're really helpful at sourcing second hand ones too if you wanted to try something else. My practice at the moment is using a Burtons Instaclave and this has been fine and behaves as it should. If you don't use them already it might be worth giving them a call.

Re: Best way to sterilise instruments?

SmegSlayer — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 15:38:49 GMT

The best is heat/steam- not so many health and safety implications as ethylene oxide. At one practice I worked we had a really good large one. I can't remember the make but you put water in the bottom, the put a false bottom in. The kits were is autoclave envelopes and then went into 3 large baskets (looked like deep fat fryer baskets only larger and round). THe lid was then tightened and it was turned on.

THe one in my current practice is a Matron at least 40 years old. We're all waiting for it to break down so we can get a nice new one but it just keeps on going...