Guidelines for Using Sterilization Reels
Sterilization reels are crucial for packaging medical products that need to be sterilized. Here’s how to use them effectively:
- Choose the Right Size: Select pouches that fit the size of the equipment being sterilized. Place the clean, dry instruments inside, ensuring to leave 3-4 cm of extra space above the height of the equipment. This helps secure a proper seal and prevents the pouches from bursting.
- Sealing Process: Position the film side of the pouches against the heat bar of the heat sealing machine. Ensure compatibility for both steam and EO (Ethylene Oxide) sterilization methods.
- Sterilization Procedure: Place the sealed pouches into the steam autoclave or EO sterilizer. Make sure the paper sides are touching each other, and follow standard sterilization protocols.
- Indicator Color Change: Check the indicators to confirm successful sterilization. For steam sterilization, the indicator changes from blue to black, while for EO sterilization, it shifts from pink to brown.
- Validity Period: Pouches sterilized by steam are valid for six months, whereas those sterilized using EO remain valid for up to 24 months.
- Inspection: Do not use pouches that are damaged.
Surgeons Solution Sterilization Reels are constructed from medical-grade sterilization paper and multilayer barrier films. They include printed double sterilization indicators to indicate the processes for both ethylene oxide and steam vapor.
