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Autoclave testing

Discussion in 'United Kingdom' started by Dawn Bacon, Mar 31, 2008.

  1. Dawn Bacon

    Dawn Bacon Active Member


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    Dear Colleagues,

    Does anyone know where one can purchase Bowie Dick type tests for steam penetration in the UK?

    How do other clinicians deal with the testing of their vacuum autoclaves?

    Many thanks
    Poll
     
    Last edited: Mar 31, 2008
  2. twirly

    twirly Well-Known Member

    Hi Polly,

    We used Bowie Dick tests at Doncaster Podiatric surgery suite for a number of years before committing to central sterilization.

    I Googled suppliers & please find below one of many UK based ones.

    Personally, in P/P I use the more simple (& inexpensive) steam autoclave strips at present until we are forced to change to vacuum methods. * Correction: Printers fitted (Thanks Dido)

    TST Strips : EQ125
    T.S.T. Indicator Strips 126
    Our Price: £ 13.50

    TST Strips : EQ125A
    T.S.T. Strips 121/134
    Our Price: £ 13.50 (DLT & Sandy) suppliers.

    Bennett Scientific Ltd.

    Newton Abbot, Devon.

    Distributors of 3M Health Care Products


    Product List and Prices
    This list only includes the most popular products from the 3M sterilisation range,
    if you can't see what you require please call us on 01626 369990.







    Lantor Cube™ autoclave test pack



    The 'original' alternative Bowie & Dick Test Pack conforms to BS EN867: 2001. This test pack is designed to simplify the daily testing of porous load steam autoclaves. It consists of two blocks of spun bonded polypropylene, together with 25 pre-printed indicator sheets. The easy-to-apply clamp is a separate component.


    3M™ Comply™ Disposable Bowie & Dick Type Autoclave Test Pack

    With unique colour chemistry, the 3M Comply Disposable Bowie & Dick Type test pack is a compact, efficient and easy-to-use disposable test pack. It conforms to BS EN867: 2001, carries the BSI kite-mark and was developed for one-off use in porous load autoclaves for daily Bowie & Dick tests.

    Cat.no
    Description
    Pack size
    Pack price

    1300
    Disposable Autoclave Test Pack
    20
    £101.00

    1300R
    Record file
    1
    £17.00

    Hope this is helpful, :drinks
     
    Last edited: Apr 1, 2008
  3. Dido

    Dido Active Member

    Hello Twirly,
    I haven't heard anything about being made to change to vacuum autoclaving methods, where do you have this information from?
    As far as I am aware all we need to do at present is to make sure that our autoclaves are all fitted with a printer after 2010. This means that all those with the "pressure-cooker" type top-loader will have to upgrade their equipment.
    At present the SCP do not recommend the use of vacuum autoclaves because of the stringent requirements for calibration and servicing which are very expensive.
    Dido
     
    Last edited: Apr 1, 2008
  4. twirly

    twirly Well-Known Member

    Hi Dido,

    My apologies. Caught me at full gallop lol.

    Full speed ahead & brain disengaged. ;)

    I meant printer.

    Doh @ me.

    Regards muchly :drinks
     
  5. Dawn Bacon

    Dawn Bacon Active Member

    Dear Twirly and Dido
    Thank you for the information. I had done a web based search but was hoping for some info from people who have actually used the tests.

    Very many thanks
    Polly
     
  6. DTT

    DTT Well-Known Member

    Hi Polly

    I had one delivered with my Vacuume Autoclave from Prestige. The Guy that came to set up the machine and tell me how to use it said the machine itself is self testing on every cycle so there was no need to use the pack unless there was a problem.

    I would assume if you wanted a supplier Prestige Medical would be the place to go (or another autoclave manufacturer, SES etc.)

    Cheers

    Derek;)
     
  7. DTT

    DTT Well-Known Member

    Hi again Polly

    On reflection , why would you need a B D test kit ??

    They are as far as I'm aware to test the penetration of "wrapped / hollow" instruments which can only be sterilised in a vacuum autoclave.

    Unless you have one of those the TST strips that Twirly mentioned are the most effective cheapest option.

    Hope that helps

    Cheers
    Derek;)
     
  8. Dido

    Dido Active Member

    Hello again Polly,
    Have you tried e-bay? I am being serious here! I have just been browsing there and have seen someone selling just these items which are listed under "autoclaves". Might be worth a look?
    Dido
     
  9. twinkletoes

    twinkletoes Member

    does anyone have a definative answer to exactly what we are supposed to be changing to on the autoclave front? i know we are supposed to have a printer by2010 but have HSE or HPC decided on a compulsory temperature as there are still 126 degree alongside 134 in my equipment catalogues. if it is 134 why are 126 in there? does anyone have a web site with the answer, as everyone i speak to seems to be as bewildered as me. also what happens when we get to 2010 and the HSE decide it is too much to expect us to comply with due to expense ( or pods jumping ship due to stress of it all). are they going to put back the start date then? will they decide between now and 2010 that we must all have vaccum too. as an aside to that can anyone answer how a pack that lets in steam and sucks out air doesn't then let air/ germs back in once out of the autoclave??? help please
     
  10. DTT

    DTT Well-Known Member

    Hi Twinkletoes

    Firstly welcome to the forum, I hope this is the first if many posts from you.

    As far as I am aware the Bowie dick testing pack is to establish the penetration of steam to the centre of the pack which is in effect testing the effectiveness of the autoclave. I don't think the external contamination comes into it as such.The effect on the indicator in the centre of the pack is the object of the test


    As I stated in my post to Polly, as far as I am aware you would only need one of these if you are testing a VACUUM autoclave which is the ONLY type that can sterilise wrapped or hollow instruments.

    The BD kits are very expensive to buy and are not intended for use in a NON VACUUM system. The TST strips are the testing medium for those.

    Regulation in the future ?? Who knows ( always helps your business plan for your practice:craig:) again as far as I am aware all the information available is RECOMMENDATION only there is NO STATUTORY regulation for us in regard to sterilisation.

    That is why fluids , bead sterilisers etc are still sold and purchased by pods in the name of infection control

    Hope that helps

    Cheers

    Derek;)
     
  11. Dawn Bacon

    Dawn Bacon Active Member

    Dear All,
    Thank you for your responses and interest in my question.

    I will certainly have a look at the e-bay site, thanks Dido - hadnt thought of looking there.

    Yes DTT I am testing a vacuum autoclave, hence the need to evaluate steam penetration.

    As far as I understand it Twinkletoes providing the sterilisation pouches are properly dry on removal from the autoclave there is virtually no risk of the instruments becoming contaminated if the pouch remains intact. A damp area however on the pouch renders it permiable to micro-organisms. So the effectiveness of the drying cycle is important too.

    Regards to all
    Poll
     
  12. DTT

    DTT Well-Known Member

    Hi Poll

    Sorry should have read the first post properly:eek:

    Mine has a self test on every cycle which prints out and aborts the cycle if there is a problem and as the manufacturers rep stated "if you have or suspect a problem use the B D test pack"

    I have a leasing agreement which includes 2 services per year in which the whole system is tested by the engineer, so really never had the need to use the BD pack.

    That's how I use mine (to answer your original question )

    Cheers

    Derek;)
     
  13. Dawn Bacon

    Dawn Bacon Active Member

    Dear DTT
    Thank you for that information. Our autoclave does indeed print and evaluate its own pressure, temperature and vacuum cycle - I will check with the manufacturer re the requirement for further testing.

    BW Poll
     
  14. DTT

    DTT Well-Known Member

    Hi Poll

    Please let us know the results ( I use prestige Century 3 vacuum) .
    It will be interesting to see any variation in protocols between manufacturers ( or recommendations from the same)

    cheers
    Derek;)
     
  15. chris

    chris Active Member

    Hello
    My autoclave broke down. I rang round several service/repair companies and to my dismay realised that this make and model would have to be returned to the manufacturer.
    Very expensive carriage or two long drives to drop it off and collect.
    About six years ago I bought a Little Sister 1, very cheap as a spare. Unused it had remained in storage (garden shed).
    I phoned the local service company late one afternoon.
    At 8.30 the next morning the engineer arrived.
    This one was manufactured in 1976 and has been well looked after he said. Hmm, I see.
    It sailed through the tests and was duly certificated etc.
    £80 Sir, he said. I made him a cup of tea.
    You see; not a lot to go wrong with these, he said.
    This timer is clockwork and reliable. I’ve never known a fan to break down and the rest of the parts are cheap and readily available.
    With the new regulations coming we are doing a lot of new installations but I always advise them to hang on to the Little Sisters as a spare.
    I will
    Regards
    Chris
     
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