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Advantages of Autoclaves in Medical Waste Removal Coral Springs and Beyond
In medical waste management Coral Springs, certain methods of treating waste are getting the upper hand over the established and popular incineration. One such method used in medical waste removal is the use of autoclave or steam sterilization machine.
Autoclaves are instruments that subject medical waste to high pressure steam at high temperatures (commonly 121 degrees Celsius) and are used to destroy any dangerous microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, but also spores and fungi, that have found medical tools and equipment to be a perfect nesting place.
Why is Destroying These Pathogens From Medical Instruments so Important?
Well, for one, blood-borne viruses, such as Hepatitis B and C, but also some more dangerous ones, like HIV, can be introduced to a person’s blood stream via a non-sterilized needle. Also, there is always the possibility that a person handling contaminated medical equipment, such as a doctor or surgeon cuts himself or herself and gets infected as well. Another example is a medical waste removal worker cutting himself on an improperly disposed and non-sanitized medical waste.
What is the Correct Autoclave Temperature and How to Ensure it?
The temperature at which an autoclave usually runs is 121 Celsius. To ensure that, there are several physical, biological and chemical indicators.
- Physical indicators.
One of the physical indicators used in an autoclave is a special alloy that melts only at certain temperatures. Once the right temp has been reached, the alloy will melt
- Biological indicators
These indicators contain spores of certain bacteria. These are heat-resistant and in case the correct temp has not been reached in the autoclave, the color of the pH chemical changes as a result of germination of the spores.
- Chemical indicators
The most common chemical indicators of an autoclave temperature are the autoclave tape and medical packaging. These change color in case the wrong temperature in the machine is reached.
Right now, steam sterilizers are the choice piece of equipment in medical waste management Coral Springs for all manner of health care providers, including hospitals, labs, clinics and so forth. There use does not end with health care industry however, as an autoclave has also found its place in the dentist office, tattoo parlor, nail salon, piercing studio, food and beverage packaging industry, aircraft industry and concrete industry.
Are There any Issues With Autoclaves?
Autoclaves are a very good solution not just for medical waste removal, but also if you want to reuse or recycle medical tools. However, it is not a complete solution.
One problem with autoclave usage for reusing medical instruments lies in the fact that autoclaves cannot effectively destroy certain more resilient microorganisms, albeit it will obliterate the more common bacillus.
Another issue with autoclaves comes from from the fact that it uses steam and moisture to sterilize medical equipment. Many experts are against this as, according to them, this degrades the equipment somewhat.
However, even with these downsides, the autoclave is can be an important part of your medical waste management Coral Springs efforts and you should own one in your health care facility.
