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Biohazardous Waste Management Page 7 of 9 preceded by autoclaving or inactivation by other approved methods for agents involved before disposal or cleaning. All other materials to be autoclaved must be placed in a lidded, leak proof secondary container. 1. Steam sterilization (pressure vessel, autoclave, steam sterilizers, retort) a. Steam sterilization of infectious waste utilizes saturated steam (pressurized steam of 250 to 270oF) within a pressure vessel at temperatures sufficient to kill infectious agents present in the wastes. The steam does not destroy the waste itself and the entire load of treated waste has to be disposed of after treatment. b. There are two general types of steam sterilizers: The gravity displacement type, in which the displaced air flows out the drain through a steam activated exhaust valve. (121 °C at 15 gauge pressure for 30-60 minutes). The pre -vacuum type, in which a vacuum is pulled to remove the air before steam is introduced into the chamber (132°C at 27 gauge pressure for 4-10 minutes). In both types, the air is replaced with pressurized steam, the temperature increases within the waste load which under most conditions are sufficient to treat the wastes. c. Treatment by steam sterilization is time and temperature dependent; therefore, it is essential that the entire waste load is exposed to the necessary temperature for a defined period of time. d. The principle factors that must be considered when treating infectious waste by steam sterilization are: • Type of wastes • Packaging and containers • Volume of waste load and • It's configuration in the treatment chamber. e. Pre- and Post -sterilization precautions I. Preparing items for autoclaving. • Remove soiled items by washing to prevent shielding of microbes from steam contact. • Autoclaves must be packed loosely to permit air escape. Vessels must not be inverted in a gravity displacement autoclave to prevent trapping air. . Suitable wraps include muslin, crepe, craft paper or sing -use non- woven wrap. Aluminum foil should not be used because it does not allow steam penetration. ii. Select a suitable sterilization cycle. Cycle time must be double for decontamination. iii. Documented training and following manufacturer's specific instruction are file://C:\Documents and Settings\Muffy\Local Settings\Temp\Temporary Directory 2 for R... 6/19/2007