Cracking Door on Flash Cycle

[CarlaS]

I have some personnel in the O.R. who crack the door on the flash sterilizer to allow cool down of flashed items. This did not seem like a proper procedure to me. Is there any way this is acceptable?

[chipmoore]

Years ago, Gravity Flash sterilizers had a chamber full of hot condensate and with vertical sliding doors, it was recommended to briefly (30 seconds) manually lower the door at cycle completion 1" to let the vapor escape behind the upper front panel. Today, most Flash sterilizers pull a slight vacuum at the end, removing the hot vapor down the drain so the old technique of 1" is no longer necessary to avoid hot vapor. Some people use vacuum sterilizers for Flashing so no vapor either. Since Flash (unwrapped instruments) is for immediate use, sitting inside the chamber probably isn't good technique unless some protection was used (a Flash container or single wrap technique). And how long is it cracked? The other factor, where is the Flash sterilizer located? Substerile room or out in the sterile corridor? There is no sterilizer mfg recommendations in the intended use instructions stating "crack the door" and the process of cooling down could be detrimental. Better to use "immediately". Nothing is wrong with the Flash technique except the level of cleaning before sterlization and the aseptic delivery, the cycle provides a lethal process. The question for the OR staff, why do they want to crack the door?
Chip Moore
Getinge
Rochester, NY