Einfluss der Konfiguration von Vakuumsystemen auf das Kondensatvolumen von mit Dampf sterilisierten Beladungen: eine Pilotstudie.

Background: Experts in Steam Sterilization recognize the importance of configuring the vacuum system to control wet loads, but the impact has not been quantitatively demonstrated. This pilot study aims to analyse the impact of different vacuum configurations on the final volume of condensate in steam sterilized loads. Methods: Several vacuum configurations have been tested: number of vacuum pulses in the conditioning phase, vacuum depth in the conditioning phase, time delay when reaching the vacuum set in the conditioning phase, vacuum speed in the conditioning phase, and vacuum depth in the drying phase. Results: The findings showed a strong relationship with condensate formation, confirmed by Pearson Correlation Coefficients: number of pulses (-0.962), vacuum depth (0.89), time delay when reaching the vacuum set in the conditioning phase (-0.949), vacuum speed (0.969) and vacuum depth in the drying phase (0.989). The best-case scenario was characterized by 4 vacuum pulses, 50mbar vacuum depth in conditioning, 180 seconds of vacuum delay before steam injection, 283seconds (3mbar/sec) vacuum speed and 50mbar of vacuum depth in drying; resulting in an average volume of 8.7mL. All the vacuum measurements are absolute terms (0mbar means the theoretical complete absence of air). Conclusion: The configuration of the vacuum system can potentially impact the control of wet loads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]