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0 Section 8.0E STERILIZERS Page 3. 3. Running a Sterilization Load Operating the Industrial /Housekeeping Sterilizer When starting a load the chamber of the autoclave must be inspected and cleaned. The operator should remove any debris from the chamber and inspect the drain screens for cleanliness. If the drain screen is dirty then it must be removed and placed in the appropriate location for cleaning. A clean drain screen must be placed inside the Autoclave chamber before the Autoclave cart is wheeled inside. The Autoclave carts are to be rolled up the sterilizer ramp and pushed into the chamber of the Autoclave. Once the cart is loaded into the chamber of the Autoclave close the chamber door. Whilst holding the door shut with one hand, push the door -locking lever and rotate it into the locked position. Pull the safety lock into position. After the chamber door has been locked, push the green start button on the control panel of the Autoclave. The sterilization cycle will automatically start. 4. Load Completion / Inspection / Documentation. Inspecting Sterilization Parameters. On completion of the sterilization cycle the operator must check the Autoclave graphs to ensure the steam temperature and exposure time have reached required levels. The temperature and time are preset on the autoclave and should operate automatically. The autoclaves need maintenance on a regular basis therefore there may be occasions when the preset temperature and time do not meet required levels and the machine has to be adjusted. The required temperature for the hazardous waste sterilizer is 275 degrees. The exposure time to achieve sterilization of the infectious waste is 45 minutes. The operator must read the graph and make sure these two parameters have been met before removing the load from the Autoclave chamber. If the parameters have not been met then the cycle must be ran again. If there are continuous problems with the temperature of time parameters the engineering department must be notified to perform maintenance on the Autoclave. The infectious waste must not be released until it has been through a successful sterilization cycle.