Autoclave? What’s That?
An autoclave is an apparatus that uses superheated steam under high pressure to sterilize instruments. Although dry heat and chemical vapor are forms of sterilization, these types of machines are not autoclaves. Autoclaves come in three common forms.
To view this article in a downloadable PDF format, click here.
Pressure-Pot Style
Cassette Style
Round-Chamber Style
Everything’s Bigger in Texas — Even Decontamination Laws
On May 18, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) sent out a press release stating that all salons and barbershops that provide manicure and pedicure services are required to sterilize all reusable instruments in an autoclave.
The press release follows a decision by the state’s attorney general that settled a conflict between two existing laws. Because Senate Bill 411 was the last passed of the two laws, its requirement that all salons use autoclaves took precedence.
Although many nail techs aren’t pleased with the decision, it was their fellow techs who pushed for the requirement. Shareen Larmond, general counsel for Sen. John Whitmire — one of the authors of Senate Bill 411 — says, “When we took testimony during sunset hearings, there was testimony that autoclave systems are the best form of sterilization.” Two of those testifying were Patti Ann Abrams and Annie Nguyen, nail techs from Houston. “They gave specific testimony that the autoclave should be used to sterilize reusable instruments,” she adds.
As Texas moves to include the new requirement into its implementation and enforcement of the law, TDLR has announced that it will not assess fines for autoclave violations before January 1, 2007.
Other points of note regarding Texas’ autoclave requirement:
How to Use One
Doug Braendle, product manager of SciCan Inc., a maker of autoclaves, gives the following directions for using autoclaves properly:
1. After the nail service, clean the instruments with soap, water, and a brush. Autoclaves will only sterilize clean instruments; if there is glue or polish on the instrument, it will not be sterilized.
2. Place the instruments on a towel to dry.
3. Load the instruments in the autoclave according to the manufacturer’s directions, making sure not to overload the unit.
4. Use “Steam Distilled” water to fill up the specified container.
5. After unloading instruments, make sure not to lay them down in dirty areas. Store in a clean, dry, labeled container.
Clean, Clean, Clean
The following are definitions put out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
*generally accepted definition
Would You Like Bagging Now or Bagging Later?
Autoclaves allow users to prepackage instruments before putting them in the units if they choose. Thus, the instruments stay sterile until they are opened in the salon. Some techs and owners, however, choose to package them up after they’ve been sterilized. Is this OK?
It’s perfectly fine to package implements after they’ve been sterilized, according to Braendle. “We are not working in a sterile field as you might find in a hospital, so any loose instruments or instruments opened chairside from packages, will be considered sterilized,” he says.
The key is in making sure whoever is handling them after sterilization has clean hands and is packaging them near the sterilizer and away from dirty areas. Sterilization in salons is in place to protect clients from client cross-contamination — not nail technician handling or airborne items — and that protection occurs the moment the instruments are properly sterilized.
Knowing this, some techs and owners choose to save time by packaging them after sterilization (pouches and packaging mean longer cycle times and a time allowance for drying).
Pouches Aren’t Indicators
Some techs and owners like to use the pouches beforehand because of the indicator strips on the pouches (these strips change colors after cycling through the autoclave). However, these strips are not to be used as a sole verification that the items have been properly sterilized. “All that is is a heat indicator,” says Braendle. “You could be fairly well-assured that when it changes color the items have been sterilized, but all it really says is it reached the specified heat.” It does not signify time or pressure requirements have been met, and proper temperature, time, and pressure must occur for sterilization in an autoclave.
The only way to be sure the autoclave is fully sterilizing instruments is by sending out test material on a regular basis to an outside third party. “Should there ever be a question about the unit, the third party could testify that every week for the past three years, the salon has passed the test,” says Braendle. He recommends SPS at (800) 722-1529.
Consider This
When looking for an autoclave, make sure to think about:
Straight from the owners’ mouths
Here’s what three owners who already use autoclaves in their salons have to say:
I love it. Everybody should have one. It would eliminate a lot of risks of infections if more salons would use them.”
Cassie Piasecki
The Nail Lounge
Costa Mesa, Calif.
“Ideally you don’t cut the skin, but the reality is people do get nipped; because of that possibility, I decided to purchase an autoclave that was effective enough for sterilization per FDA requirements for medical use.
It’s sad that even the top people who promote sanitary practices don’t even promote using an autoclave.”
Roula Nassar
Roula’s Nail Spa
Houston
Rosemary Weiner
The Brass Rose
Blairstown, N.J.
Shop ’til You Drop
If you search on your own for an autoclave, you can go to the FDA’s website to see if the model you’re looking at is registered through them. Log on to www.fda.gov/searches/databases.html and under “Medical Devices” click on “Device Listing.” Type in “FLE” for product code for a complete up-to-date list of all FDA-registered autoclaves, or enter a company’s name to find out which of theirs is registered.
To help you sort through all the options, here are a variety of companies offering FDA-registered autoclaves suitable for the salon.
The Good, the Bad, and the Autoclave
The Good
The Bad
For reprint and licensing requests for this article, Click here.