Steris Machines

[klazee]

What are the guide lines for sterising arthroscopes,camera,and light cords? Once cycle has completed and you hit cancel to deflate the diaphram,how long can you leave the scopes inside without opening the door and still be considered sterile?:confused:
Klazee

[sonny1388]

That's a good question, as quoted by the System 1 tech I talked to at Steris. Steris does not have any documentation as to how long an item can be considered sterile after a cycle as run. According to the tech, the system was designed as a JIT type of sterilization, so anything other than taking it directly out and using it after a cycle has no documentation. My understanding is that as long as you can demonstrate the seal has not been disengaged, an item will be considered sterile until it has been opened. Water tight seal = no chance of outside water/air transfer.

[klazee]

Thank you That was the same info I got when I called. I was unsure what other places might have for guidelines. I guess thats the answer just don't break the seal. Thanks again.

[HRJohn]

I tried very hard to get Steris to give me a specific answer on that very question.

I was eventually transferred to the company's educator, who also would not commit to the amount of time that a Steris-1 processed item will remain sterile.

Steris' position, as Sonny stated, is that the machine is intended for 'JIT use', and they will not guarantee sterility for the items stored in the chamber for anything longer than "immediate" use.

Our hospital has taken that to mean that the cycle must be re-run if the sterile item sits in that sealed chamber for more than 30-45 minutes.

Unfortunately, since Steris won't give a specific time limitation, we are taking on the liability if we don't use the device immediately.

[klazee]

We consider the steris scope to be sterile until the cancel button is hit. It is sterile as long as the diaphram has not been deflated.Once deflated we must use ASAP. I am from a Surgi center and we have no other means of low temp. sterilization for our camera, scopes,and cords. If diaphram is deflated and we are not using it for awhile<back up> we put it in a covered basin for 4 hours.