Separate autoclaves should be used to sterilize solutions or glassware (clean materials), and to decontaminate infectious materials.
The following materials are suitable for autoclaving:
- instruments, glassware, media or solutions for sterile use in the general diagnostic TB laboratory;
- mycobacterial cultures for waste disposal;
- all infectious materials from TB-containment laboratories where mycobacterial culture is performed.
The time, temperature and pressure should be recorded each time the autoclave is run to monitor whether it is functioning properly. Biological indicators should be used regularly to validate the ability of the autoclave to achieve sterilization.