If you are a CAP accredited lab, CAP says that the cryostat must be
defrosted and disinfectant decontaminated at regular intervals with a TB
disinfectant.
- - -
ANP.23410 Cryostat Decontamination Phase II
There is a documented procedure for the routine decontamination of the
cryostat at defined intervals, and decontamination records are evident.
NOTE: The cryostat must be defrosted and decontaminated by wiping all
exposed surfaces with tuberculocidal disinfectant. The cryostat should be at
room temperature during decontamination unless otherwise specified by the
manufacturer. This should be done at an interval appropriate for the
institution; this must be weekly for instruments used daily. Trimmings and
sections of tissue that accumulate inside the cryostat must be removed
during decontamination. Although not a requirement, steel mesh gloves should
be worn when changing knife blades.
- - - -
Even if you can use a UV light, ALL debris/contaminants must be removed from
the cryostat chamber BEFORE using the UV light. The germicidal effect of
radiation is only good on the areas that the UV light can hit directly. So
any little corners, or areas under metal plates, or areas under the
OCT/tissue shavings will not be directly illuminated by the UV light, and
thus will not be disinfected.
There are also different types of UV lamps. I have heard that low efficiency
UV lamps need a long period of time of being turned on to disinfect, and
that this long exposure in a small area of the chamber of the cryostat can
produce a high level of ozone in the chamber, so there could be an ozone
exposure level to the tech using the cryostat.
So, UV light can be used in CONJUNCTION with wiping out, chemical
disinfecting, and defrosting. But I don't believe it can be used IN PLACE of
wiping out, chemical disinfecting, and defrosting.
Peggy A. Wenk, HTL(ASCP)SLS
-Original Message-
From: Paula Sicurello
Sent: Thursday, October 10, 2013 2:36 PM
To: HistoNet
Subject: [Histonet] External UV for a Leica 1850?
Hello Fellow Netters,
Has anyone tried using some type of external UV source to decontaminate a
Leica 1850 cryostat? I found out that it is not possible to retro fit the
1850 for UV. I would like to be able to avoid having to defrost, breakdown
and bleach the cryostat everytime a suspected infectious tissue is cut in
it.
Suggestions kindly welcomed.
Thanks!
Paula
--
Paula Sicurello, HTL (ASCP)
Supervisor, Clinical Electron Microscopy Laboratory
Duke University Health System
Rm.#251M, Duke South, Green Zone
Durham, North Carolina 27710
P: 919.684.2091
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