Steriliser Advice

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Hi All

I am looking at purchasing a new/used steriliser. I have previously used the Siltex D model, which has now been superseeded.

Does anyone have any experience with the new Siltex models? What are they like?

Any glowing reports of any other models and suppliers in Adelaide??

Thank you in anticipation

 

Hi Airlie,

Try MELAG - we use an S Class I believe. Has been a real trooper. Don't know any suppliers but we got ours from Briggate Medical.

 

Ive got a melag as well fantastic little machine. Defintely recommend it

 

thanks!! ill look into the Melag

 

Has anyone heard of the steriliser Cominox 18S dynamica that Siltex sell? Any opinions?

Thanks.

 

No one has replied to my query because either a) not interested, b) no knowledge regards the question, c) out at a very long Christmas function - I need to make a decision regards a new steriliser by the end of the week so ANYONES opinions appreciated.

 

I would have thought that no replies meant that either few people have one or nobody wants to talk it up.......in either case would you want one?? Unless of course it is very new and nobody knows how fantastic it is......you can tell us then......
regards Phill

 

Paul/m weber thanks for your advice. definitely looks like the melag is a good unit. Do you use the S or VS model??

if the S model, without the prevacuum, do you find that the pouches come out too moist??

if VS, are they super dry or still need some extra drying after cycle completed??

Ta

Airlie

 

Ive got the vakulav 30-B I´m in Sweden so things are a bit different over here so maybe Paul in Oz can help you out unless the Vakulav 30-B makes sense to you. My bags do need a little drying time after the machine has finished a cycle but noit much.

Hope that helps some.

 

Next time I buy one it will be a vacuum one, the bags are always dried better.
regards Phill

 

Hi Ailrie,
I have the Melag S23 and I haven't had any problems with the bags not drying properly. I use a toast rack so the pouches stand up and don't really touch each other. I get 12 pouches in a cycle. It's a great machine. I don't think you need to spend the extra on the vacuum model unless you can get a good deal..
Nat

 

thanks for your help everyone. have decided on the 23S. I only need to do one load a day so can afford the extra drying time.

merry xmas

Airlie

 

I bought a siltex B class and it broke down over and over and over etc..... It was the worst autoclave I've ever had, even worse than the $50 emergency one I bought from a closing down tattoo parlour. (Actually that has been a champion) ANd siltex provided zero customer support.

 

When releasing a steriliser load, do you ever have any moisture (droplets etc) on the packs in any form/any amount i.e. either internally or externally (I'm thinking specifically with the laminated pouches - paper one side/plastic the other)?

 

if i dont overpack the melag unit i have now purchased and am using, I do not have trouble with droplets if i dont overpack the unit - so 2 packs per tray, 4 shelves. if i dont let them cool down separately and place them ontop of each other while still hot steam will also condense and produce droplets.
much more time consuming and need mroe space, but the unit is so user friendly i am not fussed.

 

never had any issues with moisture using melag 23 S+, although I tend to keep the loads at 8-9 pouches per cycle.

 

had the older model....would assume the new one is better. i really thought the older model worked very well and would recommend.

 

Airlie,
You should look into getting a stand up rack (like a toast rack)...It can fit 12 pouches in the rack for a cycle in my Melag without them touching, so no moisture on the bags...they dry perfectly.

 

thanks nat

 

I have a technogaz sold in Australia as the Delta RT45 which has continually broken down, costing thousands of dollars and now has a cracked chamber for which I was quoted $3,000 to fix!

I think that it's time to upgrade to a Melag too!

 

Re: printers and indicator strips advice

hello Nat,

been following the threads from earlier and wanting to buy a melag 23s too now.
since I haven't been autoclaving my own instruments for ages, just wanted to check the sterilisation requirements
I've been advised to use class 6 indicator strips for proof of sterilisation are more reliable than the class4 but if the printer is essential wouldn't that be doubling up on proof?
is it essential to have a printer or printing facility? or becoming essential?

could you or any other oz pods give me more tips,
thanks heaps michele

 

I have just upgraded to the Melag 29vs+ and I'm very happy with it, but most people seem to go for the 23, why pay more for a deeper chamber which has the same diameter?

Cheers,

Brad Randazzo

 

Re: printers and indicator strips advice

Hi Michele

I can help with this
national infection control guidelines can be found on the podiatry board of SA website under publications. (not sure about other states...and havent had a good look around the national site yet) page 52 gives you documentation requirements...
http://www.pbsa.saboards.com.au/

hope this is what your looking for
Airlie

 

Re: printers and indicator strips advice

thanks airlie,

will even check the relevant nsw state- seems too obvious!
are you happy with your autoclave?
michele

 

Re: printers and indicator strips advice

michele
i bought my Melag 23s about 2 months ago and have been happy with it so far. easy to use, straight forward controls help, and start to end cycle including drying 30-40 minutes. so it does everything i need it too which is great. very handy having download to SD card to then download data to PC and backup rather than a printer running.
i find i use more water, as waste water tank needs to be emptied fairly regularly, but then without the prompt on my old siltex, I would say I probably wasnt changing the water enough.

 

We have a few Mocom Exacta steralisers in our clinic which are fanatstic.

 

Dynamica ok for small loads, must be on edge in rack if bagged. Better to go 18/24 S vac version, or melag 23vs New melag 23VS+ has higher power drying heater. On old ones make sure service tech turns on "tms" drying option.If he doesn't know how, get a better tech.

 

The old series exact is better if you upgrade it with the latest software ! Dries nicer,

 

In adelaide, you could contact a Ben Vandemoer from "Medisure" he's one of the "usual suspects" .
IE: one of the group of service companies who cover the major brands.
If you look at say Cominox, Melag , Mocom, you will find that in a any of the states there will be a company that covers at least 2 of the 3.
In S.A. Medisure does Cominox, Melag etc
In Melbourne, Select Medical Does Cominox, Melag & Mocom.
You don't get to be an agent for these brands on a whim, you need to know what you are doing.. (No, I dont work for either of these places).

 

I may be purchasing a Melag 23VS in the not too distant future, however the size is a bit of an issue and the 29VS is not too much cheaper.
The feet supposedly can sit on a 60cm bench top. THis is the width of our benchtop, but I was just wanting to confirm from those of you that have one, that the distance from the back of the machine to the front feet is 60cm. Not 60cm between feet (as the wall will prevent this size from fitting)

 

Will check. Bear in mind, the air filter sticks out the back a bit. It is the thing that hits the wall first. So its the distance from that to the front feet.
a 600 becnfh is ok from memory. BUT beware the bench with a rolled front. I have seen at least 1 unit come to grief when the front feet slipped over a curved edge on a narrow bench & the 'tip' point is only a couple of inches behind the front feet due to weight distribution.............. Expensive thing to have hit the floor face first...
The easiest thing to do is to get a metal plate about 3mm thick & the width of the sterilizer + about 20 cm f-back & screw it to the front 100mm of the bench. Otherwise a complete section of 750 benchtop & sit it on top of the existing. PS For Melag service in Melb, try Select MEdical (speak to a guy called Sean) they will do the setup & initial validation & as auth. agents, your wty is safe. Melag is good gear, but a new one has a couple of specific things that must be setup correctly..........

 

Thanks !

 

Owners of Techno-gaz units should do a class action against them. You dont know how many of these there have been................. Usually the crack just opens a little, & steam leak is controlled, but there was one in WA that literally blew the door (I have photos from a guy over there) . If you own one, make sure that the welds on the door hinges are checked EVERY service !

 

Just a quick hint for you. If you have had these for a while, make sure you use an authorised tech to service & get them to fit the 'new' (last year or so) software. It makes them control temp much better & not get so hot in drying. (Less crispy bags & no melted plastics). Only the 'real' service guys get acess to this stuff though 7 it does involve a cost. On the plus side, there is less stress on heater elements & other parts.....

 

Hi there , here in the frozen UK, We are waiting for the department of health to advise us on the correct way to go about steriliser procedure. If I was buying a new machine I would buy a vaccum modle with printer.