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Section 8.0E STERILIZERS Page 1. 1. Sterilizer Overview Use and Purpose of a Sterilizer The definition of sterilization is the complete destruction of microbes and their spores. There are many methods of sterilization; most common are steam, ethylene oxide gas, and radiation. At San Joaquin General there are different types of sterilizers mainly used to reprocess equipment used in medical and surgical procedures. Different types of sterilizers are designed to handle the various materials the equipment is made of. The most common and widely used method of sterilization is steam under pressure. The machine used to perform steam sterilization is called an autoclave. How a Sterilizer Works There are two types of autoclaves, the gravity displacement and the high vacuum. The gravity displacement autoclaves use the steam to push the air out of the autoclave chamber through a small opening in the front. The high vacuum autoclaves create an air free chamber by removing all the air in the chamber forming a sealed vacuum. Once the vacuum is created the chamber fills with steam and begins the sterilization process. In order to achieve complete and effective sterilization the steam must contact all surface areas of each item being sterilized. The steam is considered the sterilant in an autoclave and this must contact the surface area of all items in the sterilizer. The contents of an autoclave load must remain exposed to the steam at a certain temperature, pressure and time to achieve sterility. To operate the hazardous material sterilizer follow the Housekeeping policy and procedure # 7.11A. Location of Sterilizers in SJGH The sterilizer used to process infectious waste prior to it being hauled away for disposal is located in the housekeeping hazardous waste site by the Engineering department. Vacuum sterilizers are located in the Sterile Processing department. The vacuum sterilizers are used to reprocess bulk sterile packs for medical and surgical use.