Good moring,

What is so wrong now-a-days about using containers as packaging material in a steam autoclave? I think it is the best solution for preventing damage of your package while stocking. Why are we all leaving the containers?

Griet Missant
Apotheek
Elisabeth Ziekenhuis Sijsele-Damme
tel. nr. 050/72 83 65
email :

Hi Griet,

If you use the containers - only for steam sterilization - as they should be used, I don't see the problem. As you certainly know the requirements and test methods of containers are described in EN 868-8: Re-usable sterilization containers for steam sterilizers conforming to EN 285.
The Dutch requirements: "Sterilize and sterility" give practical guidelines about handling containers. They say about containers (CO) and cassettes (CA):

1. Containers or cassettes can be applied on 2 ways:
   • as a means of transport for, for instance instrument trays or a special tray,
   • as a means of transport by which out of the container or cassette is worked,
   In both cases an inner wrapping must be used.
2. Before each use the CO or CA must be cleaned and inspected on damages whereby attention must be given to the edges of the closures. Only not damaged CO or CA (with exception of scratches on the surfaces) can be used.
3. Before each use the filters of the CO or CA must be replaced. The filters must satisfy R3231.
4. If the CO or CA has valves, the right functioning of them must be controlled according the instructions of the mnufacturer.
5. The format of the instrument tray and the container or cassette must be such a way that there is still sufficient space for an inner wrapping.
6. The instrument tray must be wrapped completely in a single piece of wrapping.
7. The inner wrapping must be closed with sterilization tape.
8. The CO or CA is closed and sealed in such a way that it is not possible to open the container without this is being immediately visible.

So far the Dutch guidelines.

I also want to cite Jack Van Asten from "Steam Sterilization in Practice".He said the following about containers:

Containers (or cassettes) are the general term used to describe rigid reusable systems that in itself form a complete packaging system. In general these systems are claimed to be bacteria tight by design. In practice however, an inner wrap is often required to guarantee the required bacterial barrier properties and to allow for a good aseptic presentation of the contents.The most important thing to know about containers is when to use them and when to avoid them. Containers serve a very usefull function in protecting delicate instruments during transport and storage. One of the features of the container is that it has designated steam inlet sites (filters or valves) which means that the steam distribution and penetration in the load is dependent on these steam inlet configurations. This again means that not every container is suitable for every load. If you want to avoid any possible problems, there are a few rules of thumb you might want to consider when you decide to use containers and selecting the proper types of containers.

1. Only use containers which will allow you to use an inner wrap. The use of an inner wrap is good practice, even when the container manufacturer claims you do not need one.
2. Never use containers of a size that will make you stack instruments in different trays within the container. Stacking trays will guarantee wet loads.
3. Do not use containers for textiles. Steam has a difficult time penetrating textile loads, this becomes worse if steam can not penetrate the textile loads from all sides simultaneously.
4. If you use containers with a condensate valve make sure that the valve is closed before you open the sterilizer. Since most of these valves are temperature sensitive, the unloading temperature is important. Obviously you must take care that the container does not drain its condensate on the filter or valve of the container below it. In that case you are not only moving the condensate, but also your problem without really solving it. A properly used container does not need a condensate valve, so why run the risk?
5. After each use a container needs to be cleaned and checked. The filter will need to be replaced.
6. If you come across containers with reusable textile filters you are sure to have an outdated concept, they may still serve a usefull decorational purpose.

Finally, if you are convinced that containers wrapped products need less care than products wrapped in flexible packaging, think again.
Jack Van Asten.

Griet, I hope this information will help you,
Wim Renders