Consider this: 3 tips for choosing your next medical autoclave

It is imperative for medical practices to maintain a clean and sterilised environment and this is especially so for its instruments. This being said, it’s not easy to know which machine is right for your practice.

There are numerous machines on the market, and even experienced medical/dental professionals might not know which one is perfect for their operation.

With this in mind, we thought we would provide you with some tried and tested tips on choosing the perfect autoclave sterilisation machine for your practice:

1. First thing’s first: why do you need the machine?

This may sound like an obvious answer: you need it for instrument cleaning, duh! But it’s actually a little more nuanced than that, when you consider you may need it for personal hygiene items or surgical instruments that require cleaning before they can be reused.

The designs are such that they will be able to destroy any bacteria on the equipment so they can be safely reused without any problems. But there are different models that can handle bigger jobs, such as industrial versions that can sterilise everything from rubber to metal, polymers and more, whereas smaller household models can easily clean things like clothes and dishware.

What’s more, if you’re running a practice that will require pretty consistent machine usage, such as to be found in dental practices and hospitals, then an industrial model is certainly required for your application.

These factors will help you decide which model is right for your application.

2. How much are you willing to spend?

Autoclave sterilisation machines are the most powerful way to clean medical grade instruments and supplies. But with the difference in models comes a variation in prices and warranty lengths.

When you think about purchasing your new machine, it is vital to know how much you are willing to spend. You also need to consider factors like machine maintenance (as they require occasional servicing), as well potential repairs that could be needed in the future.

What’s more, certain models come with warranties that can be important when purchasing a machine that handles such a delicate process. So, do your research into your prospective model so that you can be sure you’re getting the right one for the price as well as one that won’t cost you in frustrating repairs down the track.

3. How easy to use & clean is it?

The most important factor when choosing the machine is knowing it’s right for your practice’s needs. Therefore, it’s important to know that your team is going to be able to use and clean the machine with relative ease. Does the model have an easy-use design? Is it renowned for being a breeze to clean? Does it have steps that are easy to follow?

The best autoclave sterilisation designs are those that are easy to use and won’t take ages to clean. Features like having sealed doors that reduce the risk of bacteria spread are great for ensuring the machine’s efficiency.

Essentially, you want to ensure that they are easy to use; are a lightweight build produced with quality materials that won’t start to falter after a few month’s usage; and that the model is easy to clean/maintain once the day’s work is over.
By following the above three tips, you should be able to create the perfect design for your practice’s needs. If you’re running a small medical operation, you don’t need to go getting the biggest, most powerful machine in the industry, but you may require a hospital-grade machine if you perform regular sterilising – hopefully these tips can help you find the perfect model.