Autoclaves: Equipment Found in the Clinical Laboratory

Date

2008

Authors

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

WHO

Abstract

An autoclave is a device used to sterilize medical instruments and equipment. It uses steam and pressure in the absence of air to assure sterile conditions. The small, table-top autoclave uses heat to boil water into steam. The steam continues heating and the pressure continues to increase. Bacteria cannot survive in these conditions. However, not all viruses and spores are killed. Exposing materials to a single heat cycle is somewhat effective, but sterilizing them 3 times over a period of 3 days will kill most vegetative spores.

Description

Keywords

Autoclave, UMDNS: 89

Citation

DOI