THERMO DIAGNOSTICS.
For the Facility Manager or Validation Engineer
What are the steam quality testing standards?
For US healthcare facilites, we do steam quality testing according to ANSI/AAMI ST79, comprehensive guide to steam sterilization and sterility assurance in health care facilities (2010), for pharmaceutical firms and Canadian healthcare facilities we follow European Standard EN285 Sterilization. Steam sterilizers. Large sterilizers.
Sterilizers and autoclaves are critical components in health care, life sciences, institutional, and research facilities... but since they are open-ended steam users, poor steam quality (water in the line) can cause major problems.
Test steam quality at access point, with a direct (dead weight) calorimeter. The test requires a sampling tube (we provide) inserted in the steam supply pipe. A few pounds of steam is condensed in a water reservoir. Weight and temperature changes allow the steam quality to be calculated (also called "dryness fraction" in the European standards.). Noncondensable gas (NCG) ratio to condensate, and superheat levels are also tested.
Differences:
THERMO DIAGNOSTICS
Read some of our articles about sterilizer wet packs, stains, and steam quality:
What is steam quality and why is it important to the CS Department? The September 2008 issue of OR Today shows how steam is consumed by heating instruments and converted to liquid water.
Healthcare Purchasing News- The December 2013 issue reviews troubleshooting steps to take when stains occur on instruments after steam sterilization.
June 2007 issue of Materials Management in Healthcare - features questions and answers about steam quality, wet packs, and specks.
You rely on the steam system to deliver thermal energy that is clean, dry, and sterile...
The Steam Quality Test procedure develops data on the dryness, purity, and stability of the steam supply. ST-79 and EN-285 procedures develop the data, and we test according to those procedures. What makes us different is we ALSO test the valves, insulation and water supply that can impact steam quality.
You rely on the steam system to deliver thermal energy that is clean, dry, and sterile...
...how do you figure out what's causing the problems? That's our job.
We are not affiliated with any sterilizer or humidifier manufacturer.
Our audit staff average 30 years experience with steam in hospitals and life sciences.
THERMO DIAGNOSTICS
A typical solution involves:
We will promptly (48-72 hours) deliver a written report documenting testing and inspection results. Corrective action steps and follow ups will be clearly spelled out.