How to Choose a Steam Source for Your Autoclave Written by: Scott Mechler Autoclaves, by nature, require steam to operate. However, there are several possible autoclave steam generator sources to choose from when it comes to laboratory sterilizers; everything ranging from building steam (also known as house steam) to steam from an on-board electric steam generator. The following guide explores some of the most common steam sources for […] Tweet Like Share
Canopy Hood Designs: An Important Consideration for Your Lab Written by: Scott Mechler You have a lot of choices when it comes to ventilation solutions for your autoclave and some are better than others. Canopy hoods are an optimal solution for handling odors, steam moisture and low-levels of chemical vapors. The following are guidelines from the National Institute for Health for the design of autoclave door canopy hoods. The […] Tweet Like Share
Lab Ventilation Systems for Your Autoclave Written by: Scott Mechler The need for a proper lab ventilation system when running a sterilization cycle in your laboratory autoclave cannot be understated. Ventilation for autoclaves assures that the various odors, steam moisture and low-levels of chemical vapors that come from the sterilization process do not escape further into the laboratory setting. When not regulated correctly with an […] Tweet Like Share
Autoclaves for BSL-3 Facilities—Part 3: Effluent Decontamination Systems Written by: Scott Mechler This is the final article of a three-part series describing BSL-3 autoclaves, also commonly known as biocontainment sterilizers. These types of sterilizers are essential in handling microbes that can lead to serious or potentially lethal disease through inhalation. Links to our first and second article can be found here: Part 1: The Bio-Seal Part 2: Autoclave […] Tweet Like Share
Wet Packs: A Quick Guide on How to Prevent a Common Problem in Sterilization Written by: Scott Mechler One of the worst things you will encounter after running a sterilization cycle in your autoclave is evidence of moisture within the chamber or within the load itself. This phenomenon, known as wet packs, may not seem overly concerning but should be taken seriously and investigated. A wet pack is a sign that something is […] Tweet Like Share
Autoclaves for BSL-3 Facilities—Part 2: Autoclave Door Safety Written by: Scott Mechler This is the second of three articles describing BSL-3 autoclaves, also commonly known as biocontainment sterilizers. These types of sterilizers are essential in handling microbes that can lead to serious or potentially lethal disease through inhalation. In this article we review the important aspects of the autoclave door design that are essential for every BSL-3 […] Tweet Like Share
Autoclaves for BSL-3 Facilities—Part 1: The Bio-Seal Written by: Scott Mechler This is the first of three articles describing BSL-3 autoclaves, also commonly known as biocontainment sterilizers. These types of sterilizers are essential in handling microbes that can lead to serious or potentially lethal disease through inhalation. In this article we explore the importance of the bio-seal, a feature that must be incorporated into a BSL-3 […] Tweet Like Share
CSS CEO Contributes to New ABSA Book on Sustainability Written by: Scott Mechler Our customers have come to know and trust CSS products as the most reliable, affordable and customizable autoclaves for laboratory and medical research facilities across the globe. This reputation recently led to Consolidated lending a helping hand to The American Biological Safety Association (ABSA). Arthur Trapotsis, President and CEO of Consolidated Sterilizer Systems, helped co-author […] Tweet Like Share
How To Calibrate Your Autoclave (Includes 11 Step Sample Procedure) Written by: Scott Mechler “Calibration” is a word that is frequently used in the steam sterilization industry. This blog post will explore what it is, what is involved in doing it right, alternatives, and the potential effects on an existing sterilization process. What is Calibration? At its very basic premise, calibration is bringing the response of a sensor (e.g. […] Tweet Like Share
University Sustainability Projects: 3 Innovative Schools Making a Creative Difference Written by: Scott Mechler Today, sustainability initiatives are being adopted by nearly every business, organization, and project in the United States—and for good reason. “Going green” not only helps reduce waste and conserve environmental resources, it enables organizations to promote a healthier workplace and save money. Read more → 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 […]
