An autoclave is an important piece of equipment for a number of businesses. It's used to sterilize instruments in medical offices and hospitals, dental offices, tattoo and nail salons, and veterinarian clinics. You'll also find autoclaves in research facilities, including food research laboratories, and they're used in some industrial applications, too. While they have a wide variety of uses, there are some basic things you should look for when choosing your autoclave, no matter what type of business you're in.
Your Budget: A small counter-top autoclave can be purchased for right around ,000. You might find one used for even less. Larger machines can run upwards of ,000. Bigger doesn't always mean better. In most cases it just means that autoclave has a larger capacity. So it's important to have your budget and your usage needs in mind before you start shopping.
Your local health agency: It's also important to check with your local Board of Health or other local regulatory agencies to see if they have specific requirements governing what type of autoclave your practice should have. Most just have basic requirements but it's always better to check first so you don't waste your money.
Your work space: Take a look around your work space to see where you can place your autoclave. Remember, it's best to place it as close to the electrical outlet as possible so you don't have a lot of dangling wires that might trip up your associates. A front loading machine requires a little more space so you can have room to open the door. A top-loader requires less space but it's a little more difficult to unload.
Cycle length: While a flash sterilizer only takes a few minutes to complete a cycle, they're more expensive. Standard autoclaves that take 20 or 30 minutes are less expensive but you won't be able to sterilize as many instruments throughout the day. However, with planning and organization, and a larger capacity chamber, you should easily be able to keep up.
Buying a used autoclave: Buying a used autoclave is certainly an option. Talk with distributors and wholesalers, and you'll find plenty of quality used machines on the online auction sites like eBay. Be sure to run it through a complete cycle before you buy, ask about maintenance logs, and find out what accessories are included in the purchase. Check the seal on the chamber door, look for signs of damage or cracking inside the chamber, inspect the electrical connections and make sure the exterior casing is in good condition.
It sounds like there's a lot to think about when your choosing an autoclave but it's really must basic, common sense. It's a pretty simple machine without a lot of complicated pieces and parts. Look for a good quality machine that fits your workspace and your budget, and you're on your way.
