Biohazardous Waste Decontamination in an Autoclave
Pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturing, laboratory and research facilities are required to decontaminate biological waste prior to disposal. This article is meant to provide guidance and recommendations to ensure optimal and reliable performance of the decontamination process using autoclave steam sterilizers.
2019-03-07
Aaron Mertens
Key Takeaways:
- Autoclave performance relies on air removal, steam penetration and load setup.
- Place indicators in challenging spots, as dense loads may have varied decontamination temperatures.
- Leave biohazard bags slightly open to allow steam entry, improving sterilization.
- Use Geobacillus stearothermophilus SCBIs to confirm sterilization effectiveness.
- Verify sterilization with Type 4 indicators, thermocouples and cycle printouts.
