Health Sciences and South Skaggs Building

Last Review Date: October 1, 2020

I. Purpose

The purpose of this standard operating procedure is to instruct all LAR staff on the proper use of the LAR-owned autoclaves located in Health Science Building and South Skaggs Building. These autoclaves are used to sterilize and sanitize bedding, instruments, food, caging, enrichment items, etc. by using high heat and pressure.

II. Responsibility

The LAR staff and authorized, trained users are responsible for following proper autoclave procedures when sterilizing items for animal care and use.

Both autoclaves are 400LS/500LS series steam sterilizers from Getinge and both have a closed boiler system that provides their own steam.

III. Procedure

     A.  Choose a cycle that is appropriate for the load; reference the table below and the
           following steps as outlined.

     B.  Select cycle -> choose cycle according to table above -> enter -> OK

     C.  Pull the door down to open

     D.  Insert items to be autoclaved

              1.  Make sure the items are not over-packed but try to have a full load to run

              2.  Examples of a full load:

                     - 2 bags of Sanichips (taped) and 1 box of enrichment

                     - 3 bags of Tek-fresh (dated) and 1 box of enrichment

                     - 3 boxes of enrichment and 1 bag of Tek-fresh (dated) laid on top

              3.  If autoclaving a biohazard load, make sure to place the biohazard bag into an
                   autoclavable tub.  Remember to tape autoclave temperature tape to the
                   outside of the biohazard bag.

     E.  Quality control of autoclave function: Apply a Steam Integrator Strip (monitors
          temperature and steam) with a piece of autoclave tape to one item in each load.

     F.  Additional quality control devices for monitoring autoclave function

              1.   SMART Pack (SOP): vacuum indicator; use one (1) once a month and record
                    results in the appropriate notebooks  

              2.   Getinge Assure AccuFast Biological Test Pack (SOP): biological indicator and
                    temperature indicator; use once a month and record results in the appropriate
                    notebooks

     G.  Push the door up to close the door

     H.  Once the door is sealed, the green “Start” light will flash and the monitor will display
          “Standby”

      I.   Review the monitor screen to ensure that the correct cycle is chosen and press “Start”

     J.  Record cycle and items being autoclaved in the Autoclave Binder

          Example

      K.  When the cycle is complete an alarm will sound, to turn off the alarm either by
            pressing the alarm off button or opening the autoclave door

      L.  Wear the autoclave heat-resistant gloves when removing items from the chamber! All
           items will be HOT!

     M.  Push the door up to close after unloading.

     N.  Record the results of the autoclave tape and Steam Integrator Strip into the Autoclave
           Binder (Pass or Fail)

              1.  If the indicator strip has not changed color/configuration once the autoclave
                   load is completed, then the load is considered to not be sterile.

              2.  Repeat the autoclave cycle and/or call maintenance personnel to service the
                   autoclave

     O.  Record results of SMART Pack and AccuFast indicators when used.

      P.  Remove autoclave loads promptly

              1.  Enrichment items - put away in cleanroom HS 009 and make sure that all
                   boxes of enrichment have a cage cardholder with the appropriate enrichment
                   card indicating the autoclave date.

              2.  Bedding bags - put bags away in the loading dock area; oldest dates on the
                   bottom to rotate the autoclaved bedding.

              3.  Biohazard bags - place the whole tub in the dirty side of HS to cool down before
                   placing in a black garbage bag to be taken out to the dumpster at the end of
                   the day