What do medical offices, tattoo shops, and piercing businesses have in common? They all need to sterilize their equipment. At each of these facilities, patients and customers rely on the employees to maintain quality standards and protect them from becoming infected with serious pathogens. After all, viruses, bacteria, and other bloodborne pathogens can survive on an object for up to a week. That means a piercing needle or piece of hospital equipment that comes into contact with such a pathogen must be cleaned and sterilized before it can be used on another individual. Otherwise, you may run the risk of infecting the next individual who comes into contact with that instrument. Thankfully, your used Ritter M9 Ultraclave can come to the rescue by effectively sterilizing those instruments.
To help you keep your machine in ideal condition – and simultaneously avoid unnecessary autoclave repair – let’s take a look at a few maintenance tips:
Top 3 Tips to Keep Your Used Ritter M9 Ultraclave in Perfect Condition
1. Inspect Its Daily Use
To ensure your refurbished autoclave sterilizer maintains its perfect condition, it’s important that the individual using it know how to do appropriately. For this reason, it’s a good idea to provide the necessary training on the proper use of the autoclave. For example, you should ensure any employees know that all object being sterilized must first be cleaned. This is the first step in removing bacteria, viruses, and pathogens from the equipment – and it ensures that the instruments themselves won’t become damaged.
You should also check the gasket in the door every day to ensure you can catch any cracking or other signs of damage early on. Furthermore, consider cleaning the gasket surface with a mild soap to prevent excessive wear. Individuals using a medical or tattoo autoclave on a daily basis should also know how to properly load it. For instance, the sterilizer trays should never be overloaded, as this could lead to improper sterilization and drying.
2. Flush It Every Month
To avoid unnecessary autoclave maintenance services, you should also take steps to care for the machine every week and month. On a weekly basis, consider cleaning the trays and racks with a scouring pad and mild detergent. You should also drain the water from the tank, refill it with distilled water, and perform a biological live spore test every week. This test is recommended by the CDC, as it ensures that the autoclave is functioning appropriately, so you can feel confident that your instruments receive the sterilization they need.
In addition, on a monthly basis, you should use an autoclave cleaner to thoroughly disinfect the chamber and flush lines. Also, don’t forget to check the cords and plugs for any excessive wear. If you do notice any signs of damage on the cords, replace them as soon as possible, as this damage could lead to a serious fire hazard.
3. Have It Inspected Yearly
New and used Ritter M9 Ultraclaves require more than just additional care and cleaning. They must also be professionally inspected, cleaned, and calibrated – and most autoclave service companies recommend having this completed every year. With this service, any worn out parts – like gaskets or filters – will be inspected and replaced, ensuring that the machine continues to function as it should. And, if your machine is used heavily and on a daily basis, consider having it inspected twice each year. This will give you peace of mind in knowing that your instruments continue to be effectively sterilized throughout the year.
To keep your used Ritter M9 Ultraclave working for as long as possible, it is critical that you employ the proper maintenance techniques. Following these tips will extend the life of your sterilizer and allow you to avoid paying for repairs or other problems that could otherwise be avoided.