![]() These sterilizers operate at 375° F for six minutes (unwrapped) and 12 minutes (wrapped). In addition to immediate use steam sterilizers, rapid dry heat sterilizers are available for shorter sterilization cycle times, such as the Cox Rapid Dry Heat Sterilizer. The sterilizer monitor service will select the appropriate type of test, depending on the type of sterilizer. These sterilizers must also be monitored with spore tests, the same as conventional steam sterilizers. Immediate use sterilizers can accommodate pouches, wrapped instruments, and wrapped cassettes. The cycle time for wrapped items is 5.5 minutes at 270° F at 27.1 psi. The sterilization cycle time for unwrapped items in an immediate use steam sterilizer is typically 3.5 minutes at 270° F at 27.1 psi (pressure). If the team member who is in charge of instrument sterilization is not aware of these cycle parameters, the sterilizer may be used incorrectly and may put patient safety at risk. The cycle for wrapped or packaged items requires a longer drying time as well. So the greatest time savings is contrary to the CDC guidelines for infection control that recommend instruments be wrapped or packaged prior to sterilization and to maintain sterility once the items are removed from the sterilizer.Īlthough items can be sterilized in packages in an immediate use sterilizer, this does require a slightly longer sterilization cycle time. It is important to note that the shortest cycle times are for unwrapped or unpackaged items. In cases where a practice or facility does not have a large inventory of handpieces, the faster turnaround with an immediate use sterilizer is a major factor with respect to efficiency. Some dental practices use these sterilizers for all instrument processing and some for handpiece sterilization because of the shorter sterilization cycle time. Flash or immediate use sterilizers are not meant to be used for routine instrument sterilization, according to the CDC. Such devices are considered appropriate for use in health-care settings when a one-of-a-kind instrument becomes contaminated and must be returned to use immediately, when specific instruments are needed for an emergency procedure, and when there is inadequate inventory of instruments or devices. These organizations now refer to them as "immediate use” sterilizers. The Joint Commission (JC) that accredits health-care facilities, and the Association for Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI), along with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), have undertaken a concerted effort to clarify the use of flash sterilizers. Flash steam sterilizers, such as the m 3 UltraFast® from Midmark and the STATIM® from SciCan, have become popular in dental practices, particularly for handpiece sterilization. ![]()
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