Steam Sterilization: The Importance of Air Removal and Verification
This article addresses the importance of air removal and verification including test details, regulations and standards, and risk mitigation for steam sterilization.
October 15, 2019
Aaron Mertens
Key Takeaways:
- Air removal is key in steam sterilization to ensure full steam contact and efficacy.
- Prevacuum autoclaves use vacuum and steam pulses to eliminate air before sterilization.
- Verification tests confirm air removal effectiveness and detect potential leaks.
- ISO, AAMI, FDA, and EN support air removal testing, with frequency left to manufacturers.
- Daily air removal tests help maintain cGMP compliance and consistent sterilization.
STERIS Life Sciences has a new published article in Cleanroom Technology: "Steam Sterilization: The importance of air removal and verification".
This article addresses the importance of air removal and verification including test details, regulations and standards, and risk mitigation for steam sterilization.
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