AMSCO Steam

Sterilization Routine
Cleaning Procedure
Instructions for Use

11054403
en Revision A
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section Number Description Page

1 General Information .......................................................................................................................... 3
2 Materials Required ............................................................................................................................ 4
3 Safety Considerations ....................................................................................................................... 6
4 Drain Strainer Routine Cleaning Procedure.................................................................................... 7
5 Drain Routine Cleaning Procedure................................................................................................... 9
6 Chamber Routine Cleaning Procedure .......................................................................................... 10
7 Loading Equipment Cleaning Procedure ....................................................................................... 12
8 Other Available Services ................................................................................................................. 13

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11054403_A AMSCO Steam Sterilization Routine Instructions for Use
Cleaning Procedure
 1 — General Information

General Information

Introduction

Due to their long useful life, it is not uncommon for facilities to own several different models of steam sterilizers. Over
time, chamber materials and chemical cleaners have changed, and so have the recommendations for cleaning found in
operator manuals. Therefore, cleaning instructions may differ from manual to manual. In the interest of providing a
uniform, up-to-date cleaning methodology suitable for all steam sterilizers, the following procedure may be used in
place of methods described in operator manuals.

General Guidelines

• Read this entire procedure before cleaning.

• This manual contains procedures for daily drain strainer cleaning, drain cleaning, routine chamber cleaning and
loading equipment cleaning.
• Perform all steps in each procedure in the order in which they are described.

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Instructions for Use AMSCO Steam Sterilization Routine 11054403_A
Cleaning Procedure
 2 — Materials Required

Materials Required

WARNING

PERSONAL INJURY

Personal protective equipment, including heat resistant gloves, heavy rubber gloves, protective gown and
face shield or safety goggles are required to perform routine chamber cleaning.

ProlysticaTM HP Neutral Manual Cleaner

STERIS part #1C2708, 1 gal. (4 gallons per case); substitutions are not recommended except as noted in the drain
cleaning procedure.
It can be purchased here: https://shop.steris.com/en/us/parts/prolystica-hp-neutral-manual-cleaner-4-x-1-gal-case-1c2708

ChamberCareTM Pro Kit (Item #11047270)

The ChamberCareTM Pro Kit contains the tools you need to perform routine sterilizer chamber cleaning following this
IFU. To purchase this kit, contact your local STERIS District Service Manager, Specialty Service Technician, or Equipment
Service Technician.

Figure 2-1. ChamberCare Kit

Kit Content Includes:
• Chamber Cleaning Pad and Holder Kit
• Chamber Cleaning Brown Heavy Duty Scrub Pad
• Chamber Cleaning White Light Duty Scrub Pad
• Chamber Extension Pole Telescopic
• Chamber Cleaning Pump-Up Sprayer
• Lint Free Microfiber Cloth Pack
• Plastic Chamber Scraping Tool
• Chemistry Dosing Syringe

Alternative Cleaning Supplies

• Prolystica HP Neutral Manual Cleaner #1C2708, 1 gal. (4 per case); substitutions are not recommended except as
noted in the drain cleaning procedure

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11054403_A AMSCO Steam Sterilization Routine Instructions for Use
Cleaning Procedure
 2 — Materials Required

• Pump-up sprayer to mix chemistry with water and for rinsing the chamber
• 10 mL chemistry dosing syringe used for mixing
• Scrub pad and holder kit with additional scrub pads
• Soft lint-free cloths and/or a soft brush suitable for attaching to a mop extension handle
• Plastic scraping tool
• Mop extension handle with a clamping mechanism on the end (available through hospital suppliers or hardware
stores)
• Personal protective equipment, including heat resistant gloves, heavy rubber gloves, protective gown and face
shield or safety goggles

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Instructions for Use AMSCO Steam Sterilization Routine 11054403_A
Cleaning Procedure
 3 — Safety Considerations

Safety Considerations

The following considerations should be observed before proceeding with the cleaning procedure:
• Be sure to follow facility policy and STERIS Operator Manual procedures to turn off sterilizer power and to not turn
on the unit while the equipment is being cleaned.
• Open the sterilizer door and allow the sterilizer to cool completely before cleaning. This takes approximately 4-5
hours.
• Use appropriate personal protective equipment, including heavy rubber gloves, protective gown and safety
goggles or face shield to prevent contact with the chemical solutions.
• When spraying the diluted ProlysticaTM HP Neutral Manual Cleaner into the sterilizer, use a coarse sprayer that
does not produce a fine mist.
• Prior to using Prolystica HP Neutral Manual Cleaner, review all warnings and cautions on the product label.
• In addition to the safety considerations outlined in this document, follow all safety protocols outlined within your
facility’s safety procedures.

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11054403_A AMSCO Steam Sterilization Routine Instructions for Use
Cleaning Procedure
 4 — Drain Strainer Routine Cleaning Procedure

Drain Strainer Routine Cleaning Procedure

WARNING

PERSONAL INJURY

Personal protective equipment, including heat resistant gloves, heavy rubber gloves, protective gown and
face shield or safety goggles are required to perform routine chamber cleaning.

Drain Strainer Cleaning Frequency

The chamber drain strainer should be cleaned at least once a day, preferably in the morning before running the first
cycle and whenever the strainer is clogged with debris.

Figure 4-1. AMSCO 400 Med Sterilizer Drain and Strainer

Figure 4-2. AMSCO 600 Med Sterilizer Drain and Strainer

NOTE: Review operator manual for more information about how to properly remove and clean the drain strainer.

Daily Drain Strainer Cleaning Procedure

1. Wear heat-protective gloves prior to cleaning the chamber drain strainer, unless the sterilizer is cool.
2. Remove the strainer following instructions provided in the operator manual.

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Instructions for Use AMSCO Steam Sterilization Routine 11054403_A
Cleaning Procedure
 4 — Drain Strainer Routine Cleaning Procedure

3. Remove obvious debris from strainer and use a brush, wire, or similar tool to remove any remaining
accumulation
4. Once strainer has been cleared, position the strainer upside down and under running water.
5. Replace the strainer in the chamber drain.

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11054403_A AMSCO Steam Sterilization Routine Instructions for Use
Cleaning Procedure
 5 — Drain Routine Cleaning Procedure

Drain Routine Cleaning Procedure

WARNING

PERSONAL INJURY

Personal protective equipment, including heat resistant gloves, heavy rubber gloves, protective gown and
face shield or safety goggles are required to perform routine chamber cleaning.

Drain Cleaning Frequency

• If liquids such as microbiology media are processed in the sterilizer on a regular basis, the chamber drain should
be cleaned once a week.
• Drain should also be cleaned following chamber cleaning to remove any debris resulting from the cleaning process.
• Drain should be cleaned whenever it becomes clogged.

Drain Cleaning Procedure

1. Make sure to follow facility policy and STERIS Operator Manual procedures to turn off sterilizer power and to not
turn on the unit while the equipment is being cleaned.
2. Open the sterilizer door and allow the sterilizer to cool (approximately 4-5 hours).
3. Remove the chamber drain strainer and clean using the procedure above if necessary.
4. To clean the chamber drain, measure 1-2 ounces (60 mL) of full-strength ProlysticaTM HP Neutral Manual
Cleaner into a metal medicine cup and pour the solution slowly down the sterilizer drain.
NOTE: If Prolystica HP Neutral Manual Cleaner is unavailable, a hot solution of 1 tablespoon (10.8g) of trisodium
phosphate to 1 pint (500 ml) of hot water may be used.
5. After five minutes, pour approximately 1 pint (500 mL) of hot tap water down the drain to rinse out Prolystica HP
Neutral Manual Cleaner.
NOTE: The tap water may puddle on the bottom of the chamber. This is normal and should drain completely
after a few minutes. If the water does not drain completely, it may be necessary to initiate a cycle and
immediately abort it. The cycle/ abort action opens the sterilizer drain, draining the water from the chamber.
6. Rinse bottom of chamber with a small amount of water to prevent detergent residue from baking onto the
surface.
7. Return drain strainer to the drain.

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Instructions for Use AMSCO Steam Sterilization Routine 11054403_A
Cleaning Procedure
 6 — Chamber Routine Cleaning Procedure

Chamber Routine Cleaning Procedure

WARNING

PERSONAL INJURY

Personal protective equipment, including heat resistant gloves, heavy rubber gloves, protective gown and
face shield or safety goggles are required to perform routine chamber cleaning.

Chamber Cleaning Frequency

Due to differences in water quality, steam quality, frequency of use and boiler additives, no specific frequency interval is
recommended for chamber cleaning. Operators must determine the appropriate cleaning interval based on the local
water conditions and chamber appearance.
In general, chamber cleaning should be performed under the following circumstances:
• When spills or other soiling have occurred
• Routinely to maintain sterilizer cleanliness and appearance
• When processing materials that may be detrimental to the chamber
NOTE: Routine Chamber Cleaning conducted by equipment operators does not replace the STERIS-recommended
annual professional cleaning.

Chamber Cleaning Procedure

1. Make sure to follow facility policy and STERIS Operator Manual procedures to turn off sterilizer power and to not
turn on the unit while the equipment is being cleaned.
2. Open the sterilizer door and allow the sterilizer to cool (approximately 4-5 hours).
3. Remove the chamber rack and shelves according to instructions found in the operator manual if applicable.
4. Put on heavy rubber gloves, a protective gown and a face shield or safety goggles. Additionally, follow your
facility’s safety procedures at all times.
5. Prepare a solution of ProlysticaTM HP Neutral Manual Cleaner and hot water (~approximately 50°C) in the
Chamber Cleaning Pump-Up Sprayer container found in the ChamberCareTM Pro Kit by diluting ½ oz/gal which is
5.85 mL to the 1500 mL capacity of the pump-up sprayer. Use the dosing syringe to add the Prolystica to the hot
water in the sprayer.
6. Using a coarse spray pattern to avoid creating a fine mist, evenly apply the solution to the inside surfaces of the
sterilizer chamber, including the inside surface of the door.
7. Place the coarse brown pad onto the telescopic extension pole and use it to scrub the entire chamber surface.
8. Spray the chamber walls with the diluted cleaning solution again.
9. Replace the brown coarse pad with the white pad and scrub the entire chamber surface once more.
10. Empty the pump-up sprayer and rinse it with tap water once you are done scrubbing down the surface.
11. Fill the pump-up spray bottle with tepid tap water.
12. Flush sterilizer chamber surfaces and inside of the sterilizer door thoroughly at least two times with tap water.
Make sure to eliminate all detergent residue. If not removed, detergent residue may become visible upon
heating of the chamber and may cause damage to the chamber surface.

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11054403_A AMSCO Steam Sterilization Routine Instructions for Use
Cleaning Procedure
 6 — Chamber Routine Cleaning Procedure

13. Take a lint-free microfiber cloth, place it on the end of the telescopic extension pole, and wipe down the sterilizer
chamber walls. You may need to use a few microfiber cloths to achieve the desired dry and clean look.
14. Refill the pump-up sprayer container with more tap water if necessary to ensure proper rinsing.
NOTE: If rinse water accumulates in the bottom of the sterilizer and does not drain after a few minutes, you may
need to power the sterilizer on temporarily so a cycle can be initiated and immediately aborted. This fully opens
the sterilizer drain and allows water to go down the drain.
15. Drain strainer should also be cleaned following chamber cleaning to remove any debris resulting from the
cleaning process. Refer to Section 4, Drain Strainer Routine Cleaning Procedure.
16. Replace the sterilizer rack and shelves, if applicable, using the reverse of the removal procedure.
17. Return the unit to operation.
18. Run a Warm-up Cycle, followed by a DART® Air Removal Test Cycle for flushing and testing purposes.
19. Clean up the area you are working in and put all supplies back into the ChamberCareTM Pro Kit box.
20. Rinse the pump-up sprayer thoroughly.
21. Empty the water from the pump-up sprayer used for rinsing and store containers in a manner that promotes
drying until needed for further use.

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Instructions for Use AMSCO Steam Sterilization Routine 11054403_A
Cleaning Procedure
 7 — Loading Equipment Cleaning Procedure

Loading Equipment Cleaning Procedure

1. Spray the loading car and transfer carriage with diluted ProlysticaTM HP Neutral Manual Cleaner cleaning
solution and remove any soil with a damp cloth.
2. Rinse thoroughly with water and dry with a lint free cloth.
3. For rack and shelves, remove rack and shelves according to instructions in the sterilizer operator manual and
place in a large sink.
4. Using the sprayer, apply diluted Prolystica HP Neutral Manual Cleaner to the surface and with a dampened cloth
remove any soil.
5. Rinse thoroughly using tap water and dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.
6. Replace the sterilizer rack and shelves using the reverse of the removal procedure.

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11054403_A AMSCO Steam Sterilization Routine Instructions for Use
Cleaning Procedure
 8 — Other Available Services

Other Available Services

STERIS Diagnostic Solutions Service (DSS)

If chamber deposits remain after rinsing, water mineral scale may be the cause. To help resolve this problem, STERIS
Diagnostic Solutions Service (DSS) is available. This is a laboratory-based service in which STERIS analyzes instruments,
water, wraps and scale deposits to help determine the causes of spotting, staining and corrosion of surgical
instruments and processing equipment. STERIS provides recommendations on the products and procedures needed to
improve cleaning results while protecting the integrity of the instrument and equipment materials.

Professional Chamber Cleaning Service

Professional cleaning on an annual basis is recommended, or as required if local water conditions warrant cleaning
more often. STERIS Service offers a professional chamber cleaning service that utilizes both mechanical and chemical
means to remove stubborn deposits. We work around your schedule, providing maximum convenience. Clean chambers
improve the performance and extend the life of your sterilizer.
Check the STERIS website at www.steris.com for details on these services or contact your STERIS Account Manager or
District Service Manager.

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Instructions for Use AMSCO Steam Sterilization Routine 11054403_A
Cleaning Procedure