Sterilizer for instruments: which one to choose for healthcare facilities?

Operating principle and benefits of the sterilizer

An autoclave is a device designed to sterilize dishes.
The devices operate on different power sources, including from a 220 W network. The bacteria elimination procedure is accompanied by an indication (sound, signal). Fully loading the container allows you to observe changes in temperature and time. In this case, programs are set automatically. The equipment consists of a cassette and a square. The sterilizer eliminates up to 99% of pathogenic microorganisms.

Design features:

1. The appearance of heaters varies depending on the type of device. However, most are equipped with a heating element, a bowl, a control relay, and an electrical cord;
2. Some models allow you to install bottles from a similar manufacturer. However, there are universal devices on the market with a wide container for heating containers of different sizes;
3. All autoclaves heat cold and room temperature milk equally. Not everyone has the frozen food function;
4. Modern devices have an automatic shut-off option, which prevents the bottles from overheating.

Why use a disinfectant:

1. Artificial feeding or the parent being with the child outside the home;
2. Storing expressed milk. Natural feeding requires high volumes of nutrition, so when in public places, it is more convenient to use sterilized bottles;
3. Premature baby, low weight, weakened body of the child. Such situations force a woman to additionally process care items and dishes;
4. Artificial nutrition forces the mother to disinfect utensils several times a day. Using classic boiling takes a lot of time, so a sterilizer is an indispensable assistant. This operating process is simple, the containers do not melt, and there is no scale. Moreover, the woman is sure that the bottles are free of microorganisms.

Attention! When using a steam device, you should be careful when removing the lid, as there is hot air inside the device.

When is sterilization necessary?

Many children (and mothers) can do without a sterilizer, but in some cases it is simply necessary.

Bottle sterilization is necessary in the following cases:

1. A bottle-fed child is with his mother outside the home (long walk, visiting, trip, vacation, hospital treatment). Outside your home, the microflora is foreign and unusual, and often dangerous (especially in hospitals, where it can be not only pathogenic, but also resistant to drugs). Therefore, if you have to dilute the formula for your baby away from home, use only pasteurized bottles.
2. The mother expresses milk for later storage (in the refrigerator or freezer) and feeding the baby. Many student mothers and women who went to work early try to prolong natural feeding as much as possible and, although they cannot breastfeed, they can express milk and leave it for the baby. But milk is an excellent nutrient medium, and microorganisms that enter it begin to multiply quickly. To protect your milk from external microbes, you should use only sterile bottles (or containers) and a sterile breast pump for expressing.
3. When bottle-feeding (whether with milk or formula) premature, low-weight, weakened or sick babies, their immunity may not be able to cope even with ordinary microorganisms, so at first you will need to use sterile care items and sterile feeding utensils.
4. When a child is bottle-fed from birth or early age, sterilization will be necessary at least from time to time when diluting the formula outside the home or simply for periodic processing of dishes (bottles need to be pasteurized once a week).
5. New bottles, nipples and pacifiers should also not only be washed with soap, but also pasteurized at least once before first use.

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And if sterilization must be carried out daily, and even more so several times a day, using a sterilizer is much more convenient and easier than boiling:

• sterilization in special devices does not require constant monitoring, bottles will never burn or melt;
• scale does not form on the walls of the bottles and on the nipples, as in the case of boiling.

Kinds

There are several types of devices that differ in the principle of disinfection, based on which the housewife can tell which bottle sterilizer will be best for her.

Steam

The use of steam treatment is one of the modern methods of sterilization when compared with boiling. The reliability of the devices is determined by the network connection, as well as the elimination of 99% of germs. In addition, the device takes up little space in the kitchen space.

Steam sterilizer eliminates 99% of germs

Advantages of the type:

• automatic shutdown;
• maintaining sterility until the container is removed;
• Cleaning duration is 12 minutes.

The bottle must cool down before use, which requires additional time (10-15 minutes). Another disadvantage is the fact that you cannot sterilize all baby items, for example, parts of a breast pump.

Operating principle of the device:

• The dishes are installed with the hole facing down;
• microbes are eliminated under the influence of steam;
• after disinfection, the device opens carefully;
• then the bottles are removed from the sealed chamber.

Medical professionals recommend using twice-boiled water or otherwise softened water (for example, a filter).

Cold

When considering the option of cold processing, housewives are perplexed as to how items will be sterilized. Studies have shown that this method of disinfection is preferable due to the use of special means.

Ultraviolet

Such sterilizers have a fundamental difference from other types, since there is no need to use bowls, solutions, or water. When you turn on the device, the lamp starts working. A vacuum is then created inside the machine where any bacteria die. Doctors claim that microscopic organisms are destroyed by 99.9%. That is why this autoclave option is considered reliable, safe, and also fast.

Reliable, safe and fast ultraviolet sterilizer

Items become sterile in 6-9 minutes. 5 seconds after turning on the UV device, the bulk of microbes disappear. An additional advantage is portability, i.e. the equipment can be used outside the home. The main thing is to replace batteries on time.

Compliance with safety precautions helps prevent burns and injury to family members. Keep the lid closed until the appliance is completely turned off.

Safe chemical solutions

Tablets used as a treatment form a non-toxic solution. The drugs are available at any pharmacy. It is noteworthy that manufacturers claim that this method of disinfection is safe, and the destruction of the pathogenic environment is carried out effectively. Even if the solution gets inside the body, there is nothing to worry about.

Disadvantage: operating time is half an hour.

Advantages:

• possibility of daily storage of the solution in an autoclave container;
• it is necessary to prepare a new solution daily;
• objects are removed with special forceps.

Sterilization tablets can be purchased at any pharmacy

It should be remembered that the bottles are immersed 100% in the prepared solution. The presence of air is prohibited.

Disadvantages of the device

The disadvantages are usually determined by the specific sterilizer model. Some appliances have too high a price, which makes them a luxury for many low-income families.

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Some sterilizers take up a lot of space due to their bulkiness, which not all mothers like. Chemical models take a long time to disinfect and can leave an unpleasant odor on the child’s dishes - this can also cause a refusal to purchase.

However, all of these problems can be easily solved by purchasing an alternative device: in the first case, you can choose an accessory option with a minimal set of functions, in the second, you can pay attention to compact models, and in the third, you can give preference to a device based on the steam or ultraviolet disinfection principle.

In general, the sterilizer practically does not have any significant disadvantages . The average price of a bottle sterilizer is 4-5 thousand rubles, although cheaper and more expensive models can be found.

Basic criteria for selecting a baby bottle sterilizer

Factors that influence the consideration of which sterilizer to choose are the following:

• capacity volume;
• processing period;
• device power;
• the need to use additional bottles.

Capacity

Parents select this criterion based on the preferences and nutritional characteristics of the child. You can choose an autoclave for either 1 bottle or large containers for up to 8 pcs.

The capacity of the sterilizer may vary

It is noteworthy that capacious sterilizers allow cleaning:

• toys;
• children's dishes;
• pacifiers;
• cups;
• breast pumps

Sterilization time

Modern equipment is equipped with high-quality parts, as well as high power parameters. Therefore, the disinfection process takes 5-12 minutes (depending on the type of sterilizer). The temperature when fully heated reaches 100°C.

Power supply

Electric models perform work when connected to a 220 W network. A similar requirement is put forward for representatives working as a microwave type, i.e. using a microwave oven.

Mains operation Microwave use

Devices that require ultraviolet treatment are operated using batteries (AA, AAA) or rechargeable batteries (rechargeable batteries).

Sterilization with special solutions requires the purchase of pharmaceutical preparations diluted in containers.

Special bottles

Bottles are often packaged together with autoclaves or require purchase from a similar manufacturer. However, the product line allows you to select universal equipment that makes it possible to use any container.

Reminder: when choosing a microwave-type sterilizer, you should remember that only plastic containers are allowed. Installing metal products is strictly prohibited.

Additional options

1. Automatic on/off function. Almost every model is equipped with this option. The user may not control the cleansing process, leaving the mother to do household chores;
2. Work signal. The indicator allows the parent to be sure that the device has started;
3. Water level indication. This function is convenient because if the volume of liquid is insufficient, the equipment will give a signal. This prevents the autoclave from overheating;
4. Presence of a heater. The option is available on road and mobile models;
5. Double boiler. This advanced functionality is available in a premium range, allowing you to prepare food for your child outside the walls of the house, without worrying about the sterility of the product and utensils.

Rating of the best sterilizer manufacturers and review of models

The rating of sterilizers includes steam and cold devices that process baby feeding bottles.

Steam

The range of household appliances produced using the principle of steam action is quite wide. When releasing goods, companies strictly adhere to established regulations, standards and environmental norms.

Cold

How to choose a sterilizer from the cold product line? Doctors note that it is necessary to request certificates and study consumer reviews.

Tips for choosing

1. When you need a disinfectant that can hold 6-8 bottles, you should consider manufacturers such as Tommee Tippee, Dr Brown's or Canpol babies. These companies make products from high-quality BPA-free plastic. In addition, the product line allows you to select models that sterilize not only bottles, but also teethers, cutlery, and baby dishes;
2. If you need equipment with an adjustment option, then the best option is Avent 3 in 1;
3. Tefal 7300 is ergonomic, light weight and small in size, suitable for cleaning a variety of materials. Moreover, the device can be washed in the dishwasher;
4. If a parent needs not only disinfection, but also drying, then the Tufi electric sterilizer is an indispensable assistant in the kitchen. In addition, the device allows you to place 8 containers;
5. Multifunctional devices are presented by the manufacturer Miniland.

Watch a video on how to choose a sterilizer

Why do you need a sterilizer?

Do you need a bottle sterilizer? This question is asked only by mothers who have not yet used this device. Many mothers simply boil the dishes for the baby, which seems to be cheaper and easier. So, let's find out!

Reviews from young mothers who practice using a sterilizer for baby bottles are only positive. There is a misconception that this device is only necessary for mothers whose babies are bottle-fed. But this device can also be used to process many other things: toys, pacifiers, breast pumps and baby dishes.

And for mothers whose children receive artificial formula, this device is simply irreplaceable. It saves the energy and time of young parents. Also, using this device you can maintain the required temperature of baby food.

Did you know? When placing items in a sterilizer, hot steam, chemicals or ultraviolet light are used, which do not damage the material.