Prevacuum steam sterilizer

Sterile processing definition

A prevacuum, or dynamic air-removal, steam sterilizer uses a vacuum pump to pull air out of the chamber and load before steam is admitted, which lets steam penetrate packs quickly. A standard cycle for wrapped instrument sets is 270°F (132°C) for 4 minutes. These sterilizers need a daily Bowie-Dick test to check air removal.

On the CRCST exam

Know the standard prevacuum cycle and that the Bowie-Dick test applies to this type of sterilizer.

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

Sterilization Process practice questions

The conditions steam sterilization needs
Prevacuum steam cycle time and temperature
Wet packs after steam sterilization
How to load basins in a steam sterilizer

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