Sterilizers: buying guides & advice

How to choose sterilizers

Medical sterilizers are FDA-regulated devices used to achieve a Sterility Assurance Level (SAL) of 10⁻⁶ — eliminating all viable microorganisms including bacterial spores — on reusable instruments and equipment before patient contact. Primary buyers include hospital sterile processing departments (SPDs), ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), dental practices, veterinary clinics, and research/pharmaceutical labs. Purchase decisions are typically triggered by new facility construction, equipment end-of-life (typically 10–20 years for large units), capacity expansion, or an upgrade to meet updated AAMI/Joint Commission standards.