Final answer:
No, it is not acceptable to overload or pile instruments tightly in an autoclave. Steam must be able to directly contact the items for proper sterilization. Autoclaves operate at high temperatures and pressures to effectively kill microorganisms, including endospores.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is not okay to overload or pile instruments as tight as possible in an autoclave. Proper sterilization requires that steam must directly contact the items being sanitized. Instruments should not be tightly packed or wrapped too securely as this can prevent steam from penetrating and reaching all surfaces needed to achieve complete sterilization. Autoclaves function at high temperatures, typically 121 °C or 132 °C, and a pressure of 15 to 20 psi. Exposure times can vary, but they are usually 20 minutes or longer depending on the volume and nature of the material. The steam under these conditions is more effective at killing resilient microorganisms like endospores, which are not eradicated by boiling water alone.
Charles Chamberland designed the modern autoclave, and these devices rely on moist-heat sterilization which is the most effective method for eradicating all forms of microbial life. The autoclave achieves this by replacing air in the chamber with steam to maintain high pressure and temperature above the boiling point of water. The two main types of autoclaves handle air removal differently: gravity displacement autoclaves introduce steam to displace air, which may require longer cycles for larger loads; pre-vacuum sterilizers remove air using a vacuum, allowing for more effective steam penetration, especially for wrapped items.