Autoclaves

[twirly]

Hello all,

I am looking to upgrade my current autoclave.

I would greatly appreciate any input anyone has RE: most reliable etc. but also a consideration may be leasing.

The company who currently do my pressure testing (Dental Buying Group) offer a leasing service for approx' £60 per month which includes maintenance, testing etc.

Any comments would be welcome.

Thank you,

Regards,

twirly

[dtt]

Hi Twirly

I use a prestige century 3 vacuum autoclave which I lease over 6 years.
It has to be serviced and validated twice a year ( around £700 for the two visits) but all in the leasing agreement.
Prestige set it up for me and to date I have had no problems with the autoclave but the prestige admin have at times been somewhat lacking.

From memory the total over 6 years came to around £6.500 (pm me if you want exact figures)

Any of the main suppliers will do a leasing agreement on most of your big equipment ( not just autoclaves) so give em a ring and ask

SES also do a rival to my one but I think it was slightly dearer.

Hope that helps

Cheers
Derek

[robertisaacs]

A few tips based on the models i've used.

Prestige century 2100. A revolting creation plucked from the backside of satan himself. Breaks if you look at it funny and has a tendancy to not work unless you tip it back at 20 odd degrees to charge the tank. 40 degrees and you get water all over the floor and 70 degrees you get a 100lb autoclave in your lap and a free trip to hospital.

Little sisters, reliable and easy to use.

But thats just me.

Regards
RObert

[twirly]

Robert & DTT,

Thank you,

PMd for more details (thanks Derek).

Robert your'e a wonder. How did you know I've always wanted a lil sister. I got a BIG (nasty) bruvver n a BIG (scarey) sister already ;D

If I get a lil one I will be kind n never ever boss her about or make her eat worms.

Thanks for top tips

twirly

[Admin]

Little Sisters have their electronics directly under the water reservoir.
The reservoir itself used to be plastic, sealed with some gunky stuff to stop water leaking into the innards of the autoclave.

This was all pointed out to me by an SES service engineer when he came to service one that was in an NHS clinic I used to frequent. The only trouble he came across with Little Sisters was water leaking onto the electronics - it would be worth checking to see if this is still the case before purchasing.

Regards,

[twirly]

Thanks David,

I will make further enquiries.

Regards,

twirly

[Gillian]

Hi There

I heard at a seminar recently that EC regs say we have to have vacuum autoclaves from 2011. Last I heard was printers attached from 2010. Can anyone shed some light on this. Are they moving the goal posts?
I'm hoping my SES2000 will keep me going for a while yet
Cheers

Gillian

[TimVS]

Thanks Gill,

You've just provided me with a useful deadline as to when I intend to finally leave general practice

Regards,

Tim

[angelamfoster]

I am really confused as to what is absolutely the legal requirement. Will our equipment be illegal to use or will only certain types be available to buy after a certain date and from what date. Please enlighten me
Thanks
Angela

[dtt]

Hi Angela

I am really confused as to what is absolutely the legal requirement. Will our equipment be illegal to use or will only certain types be available to buy after a certain date and from what date. Please enlighten me
Thanks

As far as I am aware , there is NO LEGAL requirement on sterilisation

BUT..

There are loads of different recommendations ranging from disposable instruments ,all done in cssd, vacuum autoclaves to name but a few.

The Legal stuff comes with "giving best practice" safe effective practice" and the lawyers

If you look at the suppliers catalogues you will still see sterilisation FLUIDS for instruments, all still acceptable to use.

So I think it is a wait and see policy for the legalities to be decided and to take advice from your professional body.

Hope that helps

Cheers
Derek

[angelamfoster]

Thanks Derek,
I will wait and see
Angela

[Gillian]

Hi All

I have the view "if its alright for the dentist then its alright for me". I work with a dentist and keep up with the latest the dentist have on sterilisation.
Dentists were approached a while back about having disposable instruments. That would mean chucking a £1500 drill handpiece after each use. A definate NO WAY was the response and they continue to autoclave.
I think we need to stick to our guns and use them as an example. If we have to go over to CSSD, single use etc the private sector will be most definately out of business.
I'm all for best practice and excellent standards of hygiene but it goes a bit beyond belief.

Regards

Gillian

[TimVS]

Gillian, they'll never get that one through. I wouldn't worry.


Tim

[dtt]

Hi All

Perhaps its time to review this thread ?

I ask the question ....

Do we need to use "sterile instruments" on every patient or clinically clean" instruments

It would be of interest to perhaps thrash this one out again on current thinking ;D

Cheers
Derek

[twirly]

The trust I worked for previously changed the policy.

It used to be a case of sterilize instruments & they were fine to use (new set each pt. obviously) for that day.

It wasn't unusual if doing doms on a monday to use that set/sets which had been autoclaved on the friday. Common practice? No idea.

New policy dictated that instruments were autoclaved at beginning of each session & should be autoclaved no more than 3 hours before contact with pt.

It would be wise to note that if our policy was adhered to the letter it would not be possible to treat more than 3 patients per session.

1) Autoclave reservior must be changed & rinsed before each session.

2) Test cycle to be run (without instruments)

3) Instruments MUST NOT TOUCH in autoclave.

4) Instruments should not be cooled with water. (cook pts. toes, nice)

Bear in mind working day begins at 8.30 & 1st pt. is usually 9am.

Average autoclave cycle in region of 30-40 mins.

In PP my instruments are all sterilized pre session & they are clean at the point of contact. As yet I do not have a vacuum autoclave therefore I individually bag a set of instruments(autoclave bags, self sealing pouches) to use on dom pts.

This enables me to use a clean set for each client.

Nail surgery patients are always assessed pre op so I know when sterile instruments are required & these instruments are sterile at the point of use.

I buy sterile water for my autoclave from the local chemist & it is changed before each cycle. I also run each cycle with a TST test strip I attach this to the days schedule of patients as proof of sterilisation.

Is this enough? No clue!