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Common Problems and Troubleshooting Related to Autoclaves in TB Lab

Autoclaves are pretty simple to use but there are a few steps for better maintenance of an autoclave.

A. Daily Maintenance​

The quality control process for autoclaves is important to prevent the transmission of infection.

It is done to ensure that sterilization or decontamination by the autoclave​ is up to the mark.

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To ensure that biohazardous waste is properly decontaminated during autoclaving, the following procedures should be followed by laboratory personnel for quality control during autoclaving:

A. Use of Chemical Indicator

Periodic maintenance of the refrigerated centrifuge is essential to ensure that the centrifuge is in optimum condition.

 Daily Maintenance:

Revolutions Per Minute (RPM) and Relative Centrifugal Force (RCF) are important abbreviations used while using a centrifuge. However, these terminologies differ from each other.

RPM vs. RCF (g force)

There are certain Do’s & Don'ts that should be followed while operating the Bio Safety Cabinet (BSC). 

Do’s:

The daily maintenance of the Bio Safety Cabinet (BSC) should be performed by lab staff and include:

• Surface decontamination of the work zone
• Cabinet power-up alarm verification
• Removal of unnecessary items from the BSC
• Flow check (inflow and downflow velocity)
• Smoke pattern test
• Entry in the logbook (shown in Table 2)

The weekly maintenance tasks to be performed by lab staff are:

Moderate-risk TB Laboratories can:  

1. Process specimens for inoculation on primary solid-culture media 
2. Perform direct line-probe assays and direct Drug Sensitivity Testing (DST)

Essential Minimum Biosafety Measures 

Based on 2012 WHO expert group recommendations, TB labs can be classified into three types based on their levels of procedural risk: 

1. Low TB risk
2. Moderate TB risk
3. High TB risk (TB Containment Laboratory)

• Recommendations based on minimum requirements needed to limit or reduce risks of infection in laboratories for carrying out specific procedures.
• Additional measures may be deemed necessary following a site-specific risk assessment.

What is a Code of Practice?

A code of practice describes the laboratory practices and procedures essential for implementing good, i.e., safe microbiological techniques.

It includes:

• Laboratory access
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Laboratory procedures

Laboratory Access