Hotplate / Water Bath /Air OvenHotplate / Water Bath /Air Oven

Hotplate / Water Bath /Air OvenHotplate / Water Bath /Air Oven

• Be sure cord is not Be sure cord is not damageddamaged

StandardStandard IncubatorIncubator

Standard IncubatorStandard Incubator

Incubator and Basic Controls Incubator and Basic Controls

Menu PadMenu Pad Provides access Provides access for changing PID for changing PID parametersparameters

Set Pad Set Pad Used to set Used to set temperaturetemperature

Increase/Decrease Pads Increase/Decrease Pads Used to change Used to change temperature or other valuestemperature or other values

On / Off SwitchOn / Off Switch and circuit and circuit breakerbreaker

Heat LightHeat Light When lit, When lit, incubator heater incubator heater is onis on

Alarm LightAlarm Light When lit, When lit, indicates oven-indicates oven-temperature limit temperature limit was exceededwas exceeded

Displays actual Displays actual temperaturetemperature

When lit, user is in When lit, user is in PID parameter menuPID parameter menu

IncubatorIncubator• Document operational problems and corrective actions, Document operational problems and corrective actions,

preventive maintenance, cleaning, and inspectionspreventive maintenance, cleaning, and inspections• Record internal temperature daily--acceptable tolerance Record internal temperature daily--acceptable tolerance

is ± 1is ± 1oo C C• Test temperature alarm monthly Test temperature alarm monthly • A simple chart can be affixed to the incubator door for A simple chart can be affixed to the incubator door for

this purposethis purpose• ALARM indicator - if the temperature exceeds ALARM indicator - if the temperature exceeds

operational limit operational limit • Back-up controller maintains the temperature at 3° C Back-up controller maintains the temperature at 3° C

above set-pointabove set-point• Small fluctuation in temperature can inhibit the growth Small fluctuation in temperature can inhibit the growth

of microorganisms of microorganisms • Do not place items on top or around the incubator that Do not place items on top or around the incubator that

may impede air flowmay impede air flow

Heat generated convection gently circulates heat in a vertical Heat generated convection gently circulates heat in a vertical pattern to heat contents evenlypattern to heat contents evenly

Exhaust port located Exhaust port located on top of incubator on top of incubator

Air inlet port under Air inlet port under incubator floorincubator floor

IncubatorIncubatorDo not impede proper air-flowDo not impede proper air-flow

Example: Example: Temperature ChartTemperature Chart

Chart should list:Chart should list:

– Name of equipment or Name of equipment or instrumentinstrument

– Serial numberSerial number

– Room/LocationRoom/Location

– Acceptable operating Acceptable operating range, e.g. 35-37° Crange, e.g. 35-37° C

– Record temperature daily Record temperature daily and initialand initial

– Note problems and Note problems and corrective actions in logcorrective actions in log

INSTITUTE OF LABORATORIES – NICARAGUAEquipment Operating Temperature Record

Instrument/Equipment:_________________________ Serial#:_____________________Room #: _______

Acceptable Operating Range:__________________________________

Record temperature daily. If temperature is unacceptable, list and date corrective actionstaken in equipment log. Notify laboratory supervisor or director.

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

IncubatorIncubator

Incubator – Preventive MaintenanceIncubator – Preventive Maintenance

• Monthly cleaning of interiorMonthly cleaning of interior

• Optional contamination checkOptional contamination check

• Check circulating fans weekly by detecting Check circulating fans weekly by detecting the breeze created by the blowersthe breeze created by the blowers

• Check door gasket for tight sealCheck door gasket for tight seal

• Check door shelves are levelCheck door shelves are level

Incubator Cleaning . . .Incubator Cleaning . . .– Clean incubator interior of the incubator at least Clean incubator interior of the incubator at least

once each month and documentonce each month and document

– Empty the unit and clean the interior with a Empty the unit and clean the interior with a warm solution of water and an appropriate warm solution of water and an appropriate disinfectant to ensure maximum decontaminationdisinfectant to ensure maximum decontamination

– Rinse the interior with clean water and dry Rinse the interior with clean water and dry completelycompletely

– Removable parts such as shelves may be washed Removable parts such as shelves may be washed in warm soapy water and thoroughly dried. in warm soapy water and thoroughly dried. Avoid using pads that are abrasiveAvoid using pads that are abrasive

– Replace parts, plug in unit and reset controlsReplace parts, plug in unit and reset controls

– Return materials to unit when set temperature is Return materials to unit when set temperature is achievedachieved

Contamination Check of the IncubatorContamination Check of the Incubator

• Document contamination check in the Document contamination check in the equipment log bookequipment log book

• Culture the interior of the incubatorCulture the interior of the incubator

• Place an open blood agar plate in the incubator Place an open blood agar plate in the incubator for 2 hrsfor 2 hrs

• If bacteria are cultured, decontaminate and If bacteria are cultured, decontaminate and check againcheck again

• Use appropriate disinfectant to decontaminateUse appropriate disinfectant to decontaminate

• Document date and type organism if cultured Document date and type organism if cultured from the incubatorfrom the incubator