Question

Why is it important to load the autoclave with dry goods in a vertical position with room allowed for circulation?

Answer 1

An autoclave is used to sterilise surgical equipment, laboratory equipment, pharmaceutical items and other materials.It can sterilise, solids, liquids, hollows and instruments of various shapes and size.Autoclaves vary in size, shape and functionality . A very basic autoclave is similar to a pressure cooker; both use the power of steam to kill bacteria ,spores and germs resistant to boiling water and powerful detergents.An autoclave chamber sterilises medical or laboratory instruments by heating them above boiling point.Most clinics have tabletop autoclaves, similar in size to microwave ovens.Hospitals use large autoclaves also called Horizontal Autoclaves.

The dry goods with vacuum run moves steam and heat into deepest part of large bags or bundles of materials and produces the best conditions for killing persistent organisms.During this procedure, they chamber alternates between cycles of high pressure ,steam and vacuum.It is important that steam and pressure be able to reach the entire loads carefully loosen bag closures once they are in the autoclave.The dry goods without vacuum run simply pressurises the chamber with steam for the duration of the cycle and then returns to normal.This process used for items that have been cleaned but need to be strilized.Materials should be packed so that the heat and pressure can readily reach the whole load.