As a clinician, surgeon, dentist, laboratory scientist, or general medical practitioner, you know that for your clinic operations to go on smoothly, a reliable, effective autoclave is very important. The Autoclave, also known as a steam sterilizer, is the medical equipment that utilizes the power of steam under high temperature and high-pressure in order to sterilize medical devices and equipment, such as forceps, endoscopes, probes, and other devices intended for reuse. This ensures that the devices are safe to be used again for another patient without spreading infection.
How to Determine the Right Autoclave for your Clinic?
If you’re looking to buy a new autoclave for your clinic or private practice, what questions should you consider as important factors to determine your best choice? In this article, we will consider some key questions to help guide your decision making process. Answering these questions will enable you make informed decisions as to the right size and specification for your needs.
Here are five important questions to guide your selection process:
Are you getting your autoclave from a reliable, reputable manufacturer or supplier with experience in the field?
Your choice of manufacturer or supplier for your new autoclave should be one that is reliable, reputable and supplies/services industry standard autoclaves. If your machine is not safe, new and up to industry standards, it might not only be a safety risk to you and your patients, but also a very dangerous health risk.
Will your equipment distributor or supplier of choice provide you with all the possible options for autoclaves that fit the requirements of your clinic space, or merely market what they have to you?
SEE ALSO: Affordable Autoclave Solutions Every Urban Medical Facility Can Adopt
It is important at the early decision stage to conduct your own research to know what size, and type of autoclave will best suit your facility and budget. By doing this, you will be more accurately informed about what specifications to discuss with your distributor representative for what you would end up getting.
Does your equipment supplier offer the type of autoclave and features you need?
Different types of autoclaves as well as the features they have are more useful for certain specialties or medical practices than others. When considering what option to get, it is important to check that the medical equipment supplier that you choose to buy from is reputable and offers the type of machine with the right features and specifications required for your practice.
Doing this will ensure that you do not overspend, get you the best value for your money, and also ensure that your machine provides optimum outcomes for your facility as well as your patients.
What is the volume of items that needs to be sterilized?
Ask, what volume of items do you intend to sterilize in a single batch? The size of your autoclave of choice will depend on the volume of items that needs to be sterilized. An experienced medical equipment supplier/representative can recommend the ideal autoclave according to chamber size to suit your needs.
Which autoclave delivers the best reliability for your investment?
In order to determine this, here are some things to look out for:
What is the warranty period? Is there after sales service provided? Is the sales rep available if you have any questions about using the machine?
Is the autoclave you are considering purchasing easy to operate?
One of the most important things to check is if your machine is easy to operate. Ask your supplier, can the autoclave be easily operated? Can you set the machine and have it sterilize the instruments properly, completely dry, and ready to use once done? Do you have to constantly check and monitor the unit?
SEE ALSO: Basic Equipment Needed To Set Up a Standard Laboratory
Next Step In Your Autoclave Buying Process
Answering these questions would help you know whether or not the device meets your requirements.
Having considered these key questions, when considering buying a new autoclave or replacing a faulty one, or adding another to speed up your processes, it requires some research, forethought, and planning.
It is our hope that this article helps you begin the autoclave purchase process, and make the right decision in selecting the option that meets your specific needs.
If you wish ask questions or need further clarification, you can speak with one of our representatives to know the best solution for your facility by calling Esther on +234- 908-650-1266, or send an email to esther[at]crownafrica.com.
Please fill this form HERE to request a demo, or visit our Showroom at our Lagos, Nigeria Office:
