Many factors can affect the outcome of your research in a life sciences lab, but nothing can wreak as much havoc as chemical or microbial contamination.
It can occur at almost any stage in your lab process, resulting in skewed research data, complete shutdown, and exposure to pathogenic microorganisms. The costs involved in tracing the source of contamination, eliminating it, and bringing your lab back on track are often prohibitive.
More often than not, human error is responsible for contamination in life sciences laboratories. If you know how to avoid decontamination & sterilization oversights, you can operate your lab with peace of mind. In this post, we will discuss six common mistakes in decontamination & sterilization that can occur in life sciences labs and how to avoid them.
Let’s get started.
1. Lack of Training
One of the most common mistakes in a laboratory is inadequate training for employees. Decontamination and sterilization require precision, and one small mistake, such as using unsterilized glassware or the wrong chemical sterilization process, can lead to contamination.
How to Avoid:
First, make sure that all your lab technicians receive comprehensive training on decontamination and sterilization processes.
This training should cover:
- The correct use of all equipment, including personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Understanding different decontamination and sterilization methods
- Using the appropriate sterilization and decontamination procedure
- Recognizing the importance of each step
- Strict adherence to the laboratory protocols
Keep in mind: training is not a one-and-done process.
You will need periodic refresher training sessions to keep your staff informed of the new protocols and technologies. Additionally, whenever you add a new system to your lab, whether it’s glassware washers or bedding dispensers, train your staff to handle them properly to avoid the risk of contamination.
2. Inadequate Pre-Sterilization Cleaning
Another common mistake in laboratory environments is inadequate cleaning before sterilization. The CDC recommends a meticulous pre-sterilization cleaning practice – as materials are more difficult to remove when they dry or bake onto the instruments. Biological materials, including blood, tissue, and feces also harbor bacterial spores. This compromises your sterilization process, increasing the risk of contamination.
How to Avoid:
Start by establishing strict pre-sterilization cleaning protocols for how to clean a particular equipment in your lab. Keep the cleaned items away from contaminated devices, surgical instruments, and equipment.
Additionally, use the proper cleaning agents and tools to remove all visible waste and debris before sterilization. For example, you will need to use specialized animal cage washing supplies to remove animal waste and byproducts.
For complex instruments, use ultrasonic cleaners, chemical agents, or specialized brushes to reach difficult areas. Ask your lab technicians to work through their checklist when cleaning any equipment or area in your lab.
3. Incorrect Sterilization Methods
Proper sterilization is the backbone of well-maintained laboratory animal research facilities and life sciences labs. Choose the wrong sterilization technique, and you risk contaminating your results or damaging your equipment.
For instance, autoclaving is an effective steam sterilization technique, but it’s suitable only for heat-resistant equipment and glassware. Likewise, heat-sensitive equipment may need sterilization using appropriate chemical disinfectants, hydrogen peroxide gas, or UV radiation.
How to Avoid:
To avoid improper sterilization, create specific protocols for each type of equipment and glassware. When designing these sterilization procedures, consider:
- Material and composition of the equipment
- Intended use
- Size and shape of the equipment
Additionally, make your lab technicians know how to sterilize each piece of equipment using the right physical or chemical means. Store sterilized glassware, equipment, and surgical devices in a separate, decontaminated area to avoid exposure.
4. Overloading Decontamination Chambers
Overloading the decontamination chamber is one more common mistake in a laboratory. This error is quite prevalent in busy laboratory animal research facilities where the demand for decontamination is high. When chambers are overloaded, steam may not fully penetrate all areas, leaving your glassware and instruments only partially decontaminated.
How to Avoid:
Decontamination chambers come with user’s manuals. Check the load capacity before you start using a chamber or autoclave. Arrange all the glassware and instruments properly within the chamber to improve decontamination. Ask your laboratory staff to strictly follow these guidelines.
If your life sciences lab needs to run several decontamination cycles, consider adding more chambers or finding a customized solution. A custom decontamination chamber can help you decontaminate larger volumes instruments and glassware without overloading.
5. Neglecting Equipment Maintenance
Just like every other piece of equipment in your life science lab, your sterilization systems require regular maintenance. Whether it is autoclaves, animal cage washers, or dry heat sterilizers, they need to be well-maintained.
Regular maintenance has three critical benefits:
- Detecting potential issues before they result in equipment failure (and significant downtime)
- Avoiding inconsistent sterilization, which leads to contamination and health risks
- Preventing potential accidents and safety hazards
How to Avoid:
Effective maintenance starts with a schedule, which should include routine checks, calibration, cleaning, and servicing by qualified technicians.
It is also recommended to:
- Wipe down the exterior of all decontamination equipment daily
- Deep clean autoclave chambers every week
- Check the equipment for wear and tear before each use
- Inspect for any leaks or blockages in pipes
- Make sure the safety features of the equipment are working
6. Ignoring Validation and Documentation
While validation ensures your lab processes meet prescribed standards, documentation provides a record that the processes have been carried out correctly. Failure to validate and document your processes may lead to non-compliance – and attract steep penalties.
How to Avoid:
First, create and implement a strict validation process for all cycles. This includes conducting tests to verify if the process adheres to the required sterility assurance level and regulations.
These validation tests may include:
- Bioburden Testing
- Biological Indicators (Bi) Testing
- Chemical Indicators (Ci) Testing
- Process Control Record Review
- Sterilants Residue Testing
- Endotoxin Testing
Additionally, keep detailed records of all sterilization cycles, including the parameters used, test results, and any corrective actions taken. This helps comply with regulatory standards and improves laboratory safety.
Need Decontamination and Sterilization Equipment for Your Lab?
Decontamination and sterilization are at the heart of maintaining a safe and productive lab environment. Whether it’s regular training or validation and documentation, taking these steps protects everyone working in your lab and avoids costly downtime. But this isn’t a one-time process. Lab officials need to be vigilant and committed to continuous improvement to help your laboratory animal research facility maintain a safer and more productive environment.
BetterBuilt can help you do just that. For over 70 years, we’ve worked to understand how life science labs operate and the level of sterilization they need. All of our washers, bedding dispensers, sterilizers, and decontamination chambers are designed to help you run a clean, productive facility.
If you are looking to upgrade your decontamination and sterilization processes, reach out to our team. We’ll be happy to provide you with a customized solution that best meets your needs. Please contact us online or call 888-553-0855 to learn more about our products or place your order.