EFHSS Questions and Answers - Question Q00677

Hi, I have a question regarding leak rate testing and spores. Where I work our sterilizers are turned off on Friday night ready for cleaning on Monday morning. We have call on the weekend and if called in the sterilizers are turned on a put through a warm up and bowie dick test then used for loads. This can happen on both Saturday and Sunday. My question is as the steam supply to the sterilizers is turned off should a leak rate test and spores be performed on the weekend when the sterilizers are turned on, after being off sometimes for 2 days. The leak rate and spores are always done on the Monday.
Look forward to your response
Thank you, Debbie

Dear Debbie

1. The Autoclave shall (not should nor must) be cleaned at the end of the working day and/or week, AFTER it cooled down.
2. Leak test rate is done either once a week or if BD Test failed.
3. Spores test is performed once a week.
4. Using PCD with Chemical Indicator class 4 assures you a successful cycle.
5. The 1st cycle in the morning represent the "worst case". leak test shall be performed on a worm machine.

miki

mistake.
I hope you dont have a worm machine.
correct it to "warm"
now I'll sleep better.
miki

dear, all, what is PCD. THANKS.

Dear Mousa,

PCD means Process Challenge Device. It is an item designed to simulate product to be sterilized and to constitute a defined challenge to the sterilization process, and used to assess the effective performance of the process.

Regards,
Yaffa Raz