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Unsaturated chemical vapor sterilizer
Also called: chemiclave, chemical vapor autoclave
A sterilizer that uses heated chemical vapor instead of water steam.
This sterilizer heats a special solution (mostly alcohol with a small amount of formaldehyde) in a closed, pressurized chamber. Because there is very little water, it causes less rust and dulling on carbon steel instruments such as burs. Instruments must be fully dry before they go in.
How to spot it
- Looks like an older autoclave with a round chamber door and a gauge.
- Uses bottles of a special chemical solution instead of distilled water.
- May have a chemical smell near the vent.
What it is used for
- Sterilizes dry, heat-tolerant instruments, especially carbon steel items that rust in steam.
- Is monitored like other sterilizers, with a spore test made for chemical vapor.
Safety and care
- Formaldehyde is an irritant and a potential cancer-causing chemical; use good ventilation and read the solution's safety data sheet.
- Used solution may be hazardous waste. Follow state and local disposal rules.
- Use only the solution and cycle the manufacturer specifies.
Related
Sources: CDC. Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings, 2003. MMWR 2003;52(RR-17), CDC. Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008): Other Sterilization Methods, CDC. Dental Infection Prevention FAQs: Sterilization Monitoring