Autoclave Advice/Query

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I am starting a small home visiting practice soon and I am thinking about whether to get an autoclave or not. I have been advised that everyone needs an autoclave. However, I am slightly concerned because I would have to use my autoclave in my kitchen (I have no other room with access to water, except the bathroom). This concerns me because I don't think it can be very hygienic to use an autoclave in a kitchen. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I can do? Is it ok to use an autoclave in a kitchen? Is it better to use disposable instruments or find a third party who would sterilise the instruments for me? Any suggestions or advice would be much appreciated, thank you!

 

Hi Penny & :welcome: to Podiatry Arena,

Autoclaves do not use tap water so you could use the machine in any appropriate clean area just using a jug to drain the reservoir & dispose of in the nearest sink. Your professional body should advise you regarding their protocols for autoclave use/servicing/pressure vessel tests etc.

Kind regards,

Mandy.

 

Penny,
I would follow the recommendations of your professional organisation as to their requirements for sterilisation and decontamination. You should have been sent a copy of their guidelines when you joined.
regards

Catfoot

 

Hi Penny
I am in same situation, not wanting to have a clunking great autoclave in my little house, and also concerned about cost of purchase, servicing etc - it makes sense for a larger practice but for small/new practice it seems to me that disposables are about the same or cheaper. From what I have figured,(and would be delighted to be corrected by those who know what theyre on about) cost of buying and disposing of sharps bins is about £1 per set on top of the purchase of instruments. The green issue is bugging me though, and Ive found an advert for Heeley who allegedly provide instruments with sharp bin and collection for recycling. Ive emailed them and await reply with costs etc, will post here if they get back to meigs:

 

hi checkout website disposable medical instruments. you should not have an autoclave in your kitchen thats disgusting and unprofessional and against all common sense ps get a large sharps bin 50 litre will take lots of disposables . ps they dont charge per set to dispose just the cost of the sharps bin size. hope this helps i use 20 grands worth of disposables per year and have no problems.

 

Have you considered approaching your local hospital CSSD? Many CSSD departments will offer contracts to outside clinics. No washing up instruments or worrying about documenting cycles. Only downside is you possibly need to purchase more sets of instruments.

Alison

 

I agree that whilst servicing / initial expense of the autoclave is quite a bit, I would recommend setting up your own sterilising area at home / clinic.
1. buying a second hand autoclave from a reputable dealer saves a crapload of money to start with.
2. service once a year, on time, every year - stops any potential problems from cropping up.
3. Do sterilising yourself, don't need to hire anyone to do it for you.

Some pods worry about the "opportunity cost" - eg , how much they COULD have made seeing patients instead of sterilising , etc etc. I see it as a way to put a bit of variety back to the podiatry work
I find that having a third party sterilising them - whilst they do a great job (im not knocking them , i've used them , and they're very efficient ) , do cost a fair bit. I believe a few places charge 3-5 dollars fora routine pack? Adds up.

Sorry if i stepped on anyones toes