Steam Sterilization Paper

Steam Sterilization Process

Daniel Saulog

San Joaquin Valley College

Abstract

In order to destroy microbes and spores on medical and surgical equipment, steam sterilization is regarded as the best option used in the health care facility. The process of steam sterilization undergoes five factors, which are all vital in making sure all the equipment is sterile. Firstly, the time in which the equipment is being sterilized is important because, the sterile solution needs enough time while being in contact with the equipment, to kill the microbes. Another factor that must take place is contact, which means that the equipment must be exposed on all its surfaces so that it can be sterilized. The right temperature is another factor that

In the medical field the best method to kill all the microbes including the spores, which are highly resistant bacteria, is with the use of steam sterilization. By undergoing the five factors of steam sterilization, the surgical team can be assured that the instruments being used are sterile (Frey K. B., & Ross, T., 2014, p. 160). It starts out with the minimum amount of time that is required so that the microbes can be destroyed. While the instruments are in the process of being sterilized, they must all be in contact with the sterilant, or else the whole process is useless. The right temperature has to be maintained throughout the sterilization process so that microbes won’t be able to survive. Moisture helps catalyze the temperature process; it also allows less time to be required for the instruments to be sterilized. Then in unison with the above processes, pressure acts to increase the temperature of the steam to guarantee that the microbes and spores are

Moisture acts as a catalyst so that lower temperatures can be used so that it can coagulate and denature the proteins of the microbes, which results in their destruction. An example from Frey K. B., & Ross T. (2014) is when Geobacillus stearothermophillus spores are killed in 250°F within 12 minutes with the aid of moisture, while the absence of moisture will kill this same spore in 6 hours at the same temperature (Frey K. B., & Ross, T., 2014, p. 162).

Pressure Process Finally with the aid of pressure, it allows the autoclave to reach temperatures that are required to destroy microbes and spores. The pressure must be higher that the atmospheric pressure to increase the temperature of the steam (“Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities,” 2009). Pressure requires the help of moisture so that it is possible to quickly kill the microbes.

Conclusion

The use of steam sterilization allows for more effective thermal energy transfer than hot air. Steam also softens the outer layer of microbes so that they can denature and be destroyed. Besides being a dependable method of sterilization, it is also the most economical and is also inexpensive. It is very quick in relation to other forms of sterilization, and it is also very safe and easy to maintain. So with all these pros, it is definitely the best option for