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OWNER’S MANUAL
4) Unloading the Sterilizer and Determining Sterility
1. Remove the sterilized items only after the sterilization cycle and 2-hour purge cycle
have been completed and the display indicates UNLOAD STERILIZER. The
sterilizer will continue to aerate items that are not removed immediately. A count-up
timer on the display will indicate the time that has lapsed since the final 2-hour purge
cycle ended.
☺HINT: To unload the sterilization liner bag away from the sterilizer, simply de-
tach the purge probe hose from the bag using the quick release fitting at the base of
the purge probe.
2. Close the sterilizer door and press EXIT to turn off the AN74 i/ix.
3. Unload the liner bag and check the sterility (chemical &/or biological) indicators.
• Steritest provides an immediate indication of the success of the cycle (via the
Dosimeter), and later proves sterility by showing that active spores have been
killed. (Spores will require at least 48 hours of incubation to provide results.)
• The Dosimeter shows whether time, temperature and gas concentration
parameters have been met. It provides an immediate chemical indication that the
cycle was successful. Dosimeters should not be used in place of biological
indicators to prove sterility.
• Chemical exposure indicators, such as the AN85 or AN86, do not prove
sterilization. They only change color to show that the items have been exposed to
ethylene oxide.
4. Spent ampoule may be disposed of in regular trash.
☺HINT: While you may not reuse sterilization liner bags, they make great heavy-
duty trash bags!
D. Aeration
• The cabinet ventilator should be running during the entire sterilization cycle to
prevent personnel from being exposed to more than the OSHA permitted levels of
ethylene oxide. [1.0 ppm (parts per million) over an 8 hour time weighted average
(TWA)] Do not remove items before the full 2-hour purge cycle. Aeration should
take place in a well-ventilated area that provides at least 10 fresh air exchanges
per hour so that high concentrations of gas will not build up while aerating. The
purge cycle is designed to aerate most products sufficiently to meet the short-term
exposure level (STEL) of 5.0 ppm for the 15-minutes (while unloading the liner
bag).
• Metal and glass do not require additional aeration. However, items made of gas
absorbent material must be aerated at a minimum room temperature of 68° F (20°
C) for at least 24 hours prior to use. Any ethylene oxide retained in an item could
cause a serious chemical contact burn to the patient.
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