Decontaminating N95 Masks with Steam Sterilization Written by: Amit Gupta Can N95 Masks be steam sterilized for reuse? This article attempts to answer this question by giving a review of the current literature and taking a closer look at N95 filter types and materials of construction. The ability to autoclave N95 masks would be ideal because autoclaving is a proven sterilization process and existing autoclave […] Tweet Like Share
An Automated Autoclave Process for Use in Determining Glassware Quality [USP 660] Written by: Amit Gupta Glass containers for pharmaceutical use are intended to come into direct contact with pharmaceutical products. The glass container manufacturing process directly results in the quality of glass produced. Certain types of glass are less durable than others and are therefore more susceptible to delamination of the interior of the glass container. If delamination occurs on […] Tweet Like Share
What Is the Difference Between Laboratory, GLP, and GMP Steam Sterilizers? Written by: Amit Gupta “What is the difference between a GMP and a non-GMP (i.e. GLP and/or basic lab research) steam sterilizer?” The sales and engineering teams here at Consolidated Sterilizer Systems get this question a lot. Many clients mistakenly believe that Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements are universal to all steam sterilizers used in pharmaceutical or biotechnology facilities. […] Tweet Like Share
Your Guide to the ATF Bioreactor Sterilization Cycle Written by: Amit Gupta The ATF Bioreactor Cycle is designed to permit the sterilization of hollow fiber filters while housed in bioreactors such as those made by Repligen and Spectrum Labs. This cycle is a relatively new addition to the typical list of sterilization cycles normally found in laboratory autoclaves. Below is an explanation of the ATF Bioreactor Sterilization […] Tweet Like Share
Sterilization 101: How Does a Laboratory Autoclave Work? Written by: Amit Gupta Steam sterilization is an important process, one that is performed in every laboratory. In this article, we will explore the history of steam sterilization, how a sterilizer works, and emerging trends in sterilizer design. An Introduction to Steam Sterilization Terminology The terms steam sterilizer and autoclave are synonymous and can be used interchangeably. That said, […] Tweet Like Share
What to Know About Sterilizer Manufacturers When Designing a Laboratory Written by: Amit Gupta Designing a laboratory requires an incredible amount of forethought, knowledge, and planning. Not only must architects properly lay out the floor plan for the equipment, but they must also ensure the specifications for the equipment are accurate. The more complex the equipment (e.g. an autoclave) the more challenging these design efforts can be. From the […] Tweet Like Share
How to Validate an Autoclave: Performance Qualification (PQ) Written by: Amit Gupta An autoclave undergoes qualification testing in order to validate and verify that it’s performing consistently and properly. In previous posts, we outlined the first two qualification tests known as Installation Qualification (IQ) and Operation Qualification (OQ). In this post we will review Performance Qualification (PQ) as a final critical step in validating your autoclave. What […] Tweet Like Share
Autoclave Chamber Material: Stainless Steel vs Nickel-Clad Written by: Amit Gupta Current, state-of-the-art laboratory autoclave chambers are manufactured using stainless steel. In the past, autoclave manufacturers constructed sterilizers using nickel-clad, a highly corrosion-resistant material. The industry has shifted due to the rising cost of “cladding” over the last 10-15 years, heading in the direction of primarily 316L stainless steel. Why should you care? Because while stainless […] Tweet Like Share
How To Validate an Autoclave: Operational Qualification (OQ) Written by: Amit Gupta Every laboratory strives for consistency and repeatability in its sterilization processes. But this doesn’t come easily. In order to ensure your autoclave operates efficiently it’s critical that you validate the sterilization process and verify that the equipment is working safely and properly. This is known as Operational Qualification (OQ), and it’s one of the most […] Tweet Like Share
How To Validate an Autoclave: Installation Qualification (IQ) Written by: Amit Gupta There is an array of qualification tests that can be conducted to validate an autoclave. Many laboratories validate autoclaves by simply using biological indicators (BI’s). For some labs, however, a simple validation with BI’s is not enough and a more elaborate validation process must be followed. These labs typically require installation, operation, and performance qualifications […] Tweet Like Share
7.12.23 Cordyceps Sterilization: How to Kill “The Last of Us” Parasite → In HBO’s recent adaptation of “The Last of Us,” a popular action-adventure video game, life as we know it is upended by a parasitic fungus that transforms its human hosts into zombies. The culprit? Cordyceps, a real-life genus of fungus which is best known for infecting insects (most famously ants) in much the same manner […]
6.30.23 Top 13 Sterile Processing Mistakes in Hospitals → When it comes to ensuring patient safety in hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), the Sterile Processing Department (SPD) is among the last lines of defense. It’s this department’s sole responsibility to make sure that reusable instruments and devices are properly decontaminated, sterilized, and ultimately safe to use in future procedures — protecting patients from […]
6.22.23 Sterilization vs. High-Level and Low-Level Disinfection [a 3-Point Comparison] → In a 1939 paper, microbiologist Earle H. Spaulding introduced a system for determining which medical devices and instruments needed disinfection and which ones required sterilization. In it, he proposed that critical instruments would need to be subjected to more stringent disinfection protocols than non-critical patient care items. Today, this framework is fittingly known as Spaulding […]