Recommendations for Care and Use of Healthmark ProTech Trays

Healthmark Industries’ ProTech sterilization trays, and the polypropylene they are made of, have been used in nearly all-modern sterilization methods with excellent results.  Use of these trays must be in accordance with the operating instructions supplied with your particular sterilization equipment and in keeping with your hospital policy on sterilization validation. For typical steam autoclave cycles, the following temperatures and times are recommended: 

Gravity Displaced Sterilizer: Wrapped instruments should be exposed to 132º centigrade (270º F) for 15 minutes or 121º C (250º F) for 30 minutes. 

Hi-Vacuum Sterilizer: Wrapped instruments should be exposed to 132º C (270º F) for at least 4 minutes. 

Flash Autoclave:  Healthmark recommends strict adherence to both ANSI/AAMI and AORN guidelines concerning flash autoclaving.

Periodic cleaning of the trays after sterilization is recommended to prolong usable life.

 Proper Handling and Loading of Single and Multi-level Healthmark trays for Steam Autoclave Sterilization:

 1.        DO NOT load trays on sides or upside down with lid side down on shelf or cart.  Load cases on cart or shelf so that the lid is always facing upward.  This allows for proper drying.  The trays are designed to dry in this position.  Do not nest or crowd trays during autoclaving.

 2.        After the autoclave door is opened, all trays must be allowed to cool thoroughly.  The amount of time required depends on load content.  Place trays on a rack or shelf with a linen cover until cooling is complete.  The potential for condensation may increase if the case is not allowed to cool properly.

 3.        If condensation is observed, check to insure that recommendations 1 and 2 were followed.  Also, verify that the steam that is being used for sterilization processing has a quality of more than 97%.  Confirm that the sterilizers have been inspected for routine maintenance in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Healthmark trays are manufactured of a lightweight durable plastic.  By nature this material is non-rigid, and some distortion due to high heat (typically in excess of 275 F) may occur.  Plastic also has memory.  If warping (distortion) following sterilization occurs, try the following:  Rerun the trays lying flat, with an even weight on all parts. When it returns to usable shape, follow the above procedures.

 Healthmark recommends the review of AAMI’s “Good Hospital Practice: Steam Sterilization and Sterility Assurance” publication #ANSI/AAMI St-46-1993 (Revision of AAMI SSSA-1988).  Please feel free to call Healthmark at 800-521-6224 with any questions.

 Compatibility

 Healthmark’s polypropylene cases and trays have been found to be extremely effective when used in conjunction with other sterilization modalities such as STERIS, STERRAD, PLAZMA, EtO, and GAMMA processes.

 Warranty

 Healthmark will repair or replace, free of charge, any system or component part that is found to be defective within on year of the date of purchase.