Using sterilisation rolls correctly
Choosing the width, the seal band, reading the indicator and how long the pouch stays sterile.
A sterilisation roll is an inexpensive material, but using it incorrectly puts the whole cycle in doubt. Four practical rules.
Choosing the width. The instrument should sit freely inside the pouch, with at least 2 cm of clearance on every side. Too narrow a pouch stresses the seal and risks it opening during sterilisation; too wide simply wastes material.
The seal. The weld should be at least 6 mm wide and sit 3 cm in from the edge of the pouch. That margin lets staff tear the pouch open without touching the sterile contents. Check the sealer's temperature with a test strip once a month.
The indicator. The chemical indicator printed on the roll shows only that the pouch went through a sterilisation process — it does not confirm sterility itself. If the colour has not changed, the pouch must not be used. Full confirmation requires a separate biological indicator.
Shelf life. Six months is the usual figure for an undamaged pouch kept in a dry, closed cabinet. Write the sterilisation date and the expiry date on the pouch. If you find creasing at the corners, moisture marks or a split seal, the pouch needs re-sterilising regardless of the date.