Gravity displacement sterilizer

Sterile processing definition

A gravity displacement steam sterilizer removes air by letting incoming steam push the heavier air down and out through a drain at the bottom of the chamber. Air removal is slower than in a prevacuum sterilizer, so cycles are longer. Loading matters because trapped air prevents steam contact.

On the CRCST exam

Expect a comparison with prevacuum sterilizers, including why cycle times are longer.

Exam domain: Sterilization Process (about 21% of the exam)

Sterilization Process practice questions

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