THE UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE – DISCIPLINE OF MEDICAL BIOCHEMISTRY
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
PROCEDURE NO:
MOD:
Page:
Procedure Type:
General Equipment Procedure
Title:
Steri-cult Incubator
1.
GEP 003
1st Issue
1 of 7
Risk Assessment:
This Risk Assessment is to be used as a general guide and as such, cannot accommodate all
the varying factors that may be encountered when using this equipment. Therefore, personnel
are requested to conduct their own Risk Assessment before using this equipment to include
any extra hazards introduced by the task performed.
TASK PERFORMED
Operation of Incubator
HAZARDS
1. Exposure to infectious agents
RISK ASSESSMENT
1. Risk of infection is present whenever viable cultures are housed in the incubator.
RISK CONTROL
1. Store all cultures in appropriate vessels/plates/flasks. Keep the incubator clean at all
times. Wear gloves and a lab coat whenever handling cultures. Always wash hands
thoroughly after handling any culture.
2.
Calibration:
2.1
2.2
Frequency
2.1.1
Temperature
monthly
2.1.2
CO2 level
six monthly
2.1.3
Humidity
six monthly
Method
2.2.1
Temperature
WRITTEN BY
NAME (signed)
DATE
Distributed To:
GEP Master File / GEP Lab File
CHECKED BY
THE UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE – DISCIPLINE OF MEDICAL BIOCHEMISTRY
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
PROCEDURE NO:
MOD:
Page:
Procedure Type:
General Equipment Procedure
Title:
Steri-cult Incubator
GEP 003
1st Issue
2 of 7
Place a thermometer near the geometric centre of the chamber, close the
door and leave for 10 minutes. Read and record the temperature of the
thermometer. If the reading differs from the reading on the digital display,
recalibration is necessary. See section 6.3 and 6.4 of the Instruction Manual
for the recalibration procedure.
NB
The most accurate method for temperature calibration is by
using a NATA Certified Thermometer.
2.2.2
CO2 level
Test the CO2 content with a Fyrite. If the reading differs from the reading
on the digital display, recalibration is necessary. See section 6.2 in the
Instruction Manual for the recalibration procedure.
NB
2.2.3
Arrange for the University Workshop to do all Fyrite testing.
Humidity
Place a hygrometer inside the chamber, and allow about 4 hours for
stabilisation. Do not open the inner door during this time. If the
hygrometer reading differs from the reading on the digital display,
recalibration is necessary. See section 6.9 in the instruction manual for the
recalibration procedure.
NB
Arrange for the University Workshop to do all Humidity
testing.
2.3
Records
All calibration measurements and adjustments must be recorded on the
Temperature, CO2 and Humidity Monitoring Record Sheet (Illustration 9.1) and
filed in the appropriate section of the Equipment Records folder when completed.
3.
Monitoring:
3.1
Frequency
3.1.1
Temperature
Daily (if necessary)
3.1.2
CO2 level
Daily (if necessary)
3.1.3
Humidity
Daily (if necessary)
THE UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE – DISCIPLINE OF MEDICAL BIOCHEMISTRY
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
Procedure Type:
General Equipment Procedure
Title:
Steri-cult Incubator
3.2
PROCEDURE NO:
MOD:
Page:
GEP 003
1st Issue
3 of 7
Method
Read the digital temperature, percent CO2 and percent humidity displays on the
front of the incubator. Record the date, temperature, percent CO2 and percent
humidity on the Temperature, CO2 and Humidity Monitoring Record Sheet (see
Illustration 9.1). The Record Sheet may be kept in a plastic sleeve and taped onto the
incubator for convenience.
3.3
Records
Once the Temperature, CO2 and Humidity Monitoring Record Sheet is completed, it
is to be filed in the appropriate section of the Equipment Records Folder and a new
sheet placed in the plastic sleeve on the incubator.
4.
General Operation:
4.1
When using the incubator, care should be taken to ensure it is open for the
minimum time possible and that it is securely shut when closed. Refer to Section 3
of the Instruction Manual for a detailed explanation of operation. Refer for
Attachment 11.1 for a warning regarding the correct fluids to be used in the
humidity tray.
5.
Cleaning:
5.1
Frequency:
5.2
Method
six monthly, or when required (e.g. after a spill).
5.2.1
Remove all cells, plates etc from chamber and place into another incubator.
5.2.2
Turn the incubator power switch to OFF position and turn the gas gauge
knob to closed.
5.2.3
Remove all the shelves, water tray and internal brackets from the incubator
and place into a sink full of warm water/pyroneg (or another suitable
detergent/disinfectant).
5.2.4
Wipe out the inside of the incubator with a solution of warm
water/pyroneg. Thoroughly clean the inner door gasket. It may be
necessary to lift up the edge of the gasket. Rinse all surfaces at least twice
THE UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE – DISCIPLINE OF MEDICAL BIOCHEMISTRY
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
Procedure Type:
General Equipment Procedure
Title:
Steri-cult Incubator
PROCEDURE NO:
MOD:
Page:
GEP 003
1st Issue
4 of 7
with distilled water. Wipe down with 70% ethanol. Beware of alcohol
fumes coming off the warm walls as it is a confined space.
5.2.5
After the shelves etc. have soaked for at least 30 minutes, scrub each surface
of the shelves, tray and brackets. Wipe off, then cover with 70% ethanol
from a spray bottle. Allow to sit briefly, then wipe off. Place back into the
incubator.
5.2.6
When all the shelves etc have been reinstalled allow them to dry before
closing the door. Open the door and allow any fumes to escape. Turn the
gas bottle back on and allow the gas to equilibrate.
5.2.7
Once the CO2 level, humidity and temperature are constant and no obvious
fumes are evident when you open the door of the incubator, return all cells
etc to the incubator.
5.3
Records
Cleaning details should be recorded on the Maintenance Record Sheet (Illustration
9.2) and completed sheets filed in the appropriate section of the Equipment Records
folder.
6.
Maintenance:
6.1
The water jacket should be filled with one litre of sterile ddH2O once a month or
when the H2O alarm sounds.
6.2
7.
Instruction Manual:
7.1
8.
Change Gas cylinders when they become empty.
See specific ERN for availability.
Repairs:
8.1
Check ERN for Service Company and warranty details.
8.2
Contact the University Workshop for advice and repairs. Spare parts can be
ordered through Selby Scientific.
THE UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE – DISCIPLINE OF MEDICAL BIOCHEMISTRY
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
PROCEDURE NO:
MOD:
Page:
Procedure Type:
General Equipment Procedure
Title:
Steri-cult Incubator
9.
10.
Illustrations:
9.1
Steri-cult Monitoring Record Sheet
9.2
Steri-cult Incubator Maintenance Record Sheet
Change History:
10.1
Issue Number:
1st Issue
Date Issued:
10.2
Issue Number:
2nd Issue
Date Issued:
Reason for Change:
11.
Attachments:
11.1
Letter from Andrew Newbery, Quantum Scientific
GEP 003
1st Issue
5 of 7
THE UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE – DISCIPLINE OF MEDICAL BIOCHEMISTRY
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
Procedure Type:
General Equipment Procedure
Title:
Steri-cult Incubator
PROCEDURE NO:
MOD:
Page:
GEP 003
1st Issue
6 of 7
ILLUSTRATION 9.1
STERI-CULT MONITORING RECORD SHEET
ERN#
LOCATION:
MONTH:
YEAR:
Date
Temp
Humid CO2 % Initials
Date
1
17
2
18
3
19
4
20
5
21
6
22
7
23
8
24
9
25
10
26
11
27
12
28
13
29
14
30
15
31
16
Temp
Humid CO2 % Initials
THE UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE – DISCIPLINE OF MEDICAL BIOCHEMISTRY
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
Procedure Type:
General Equipment Procedure
Title:
Steri-cult Incubator
PROCEDURE NO:
MOD:
Page:
GEP 003
1st Issue
7 of 7
ILLUSTRATION 9.2
STERI-CULT MAINTENANCE RECORD SHEET
ERN#
DATE
MAINTENANCE
SIGNED
THE UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE – DISCIPLINE OF MEDICAL BIOCHEMISTRY
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
PROCEDURE NO:
MOD:
Page:
Procedure Type:
General Equipment Procedure
Title:
Steri-cult Incubator
GEP 003
1st Issue
8 of 7
SANYO CO2 INCUBATOR – CLEANING
INSTRUCTIONS
This incubator should be cleaned/sterilized every 2 months as follows:
•Remove all cultures
•Remove all trays and humidifying pan then remove side supports, tray
supports (if necessary top panel and fan can also be removed)
•Clean all attachments with a neutral detergent (7X *do not use Extran)
then rinse thoroughly with distilled water
•Wipe dry using a chux cloth then spray with 70% ethanol then wipe dry
and place back into incubator
NOTE: DO NOT USE HYPOCHLORITE OR OTHER HALOGEN-BASED
SOLUTIONS
DATE LAST CLEANED
BY WHOM