8/1/2023 0 Comments Spore test![]() Of the three processes available to monitor sterilization, only biological monitoring directly monitors the lethality of a given sterilization process, according to the CDC.¹ If a sterilizer is used frequently (e.g., several loads per day), daily use of biological indicators allows earlier discovery of equipment malfunctions or procedural errors-minimizing the extent of patient surveillance and product recall needed in the event of a positive biological indicator.Īccording to the CDC, as well as the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI), steam sterilizers should be monitored at least weekly, preferably every day the sterilizer is run.įor a handy reference guide, download our in-office biological indicator for monitoring steam processes poster. Commercially available BIs are non-pathogenic (harmless) and are specific for the type of sterilization process being monitored. 840 These sterilizers are designed for small instruments, such as hypodermic syringes and needles. Portable (table-top) steam sterilizers are used in outpatient, dental, and rural clinics. Biological Indicators (BIs) are considered the highest level of sterility assurance because they actually test the sterilizer's ability to kill specific strains of highly resistant organisms. Positive spore test results are a relatively rare event 838 and can be attributed to operator error, inadequate steam delivery, 839 or equipment malfunction. That still doesn't mean your autoclave is properly sterilizing your instruments!īiological monitoring manages sterilization with the use of bacterial spores. It appears you've achieved the necessary physical and chemical conditions for sterilization. Your sterilizer might be free of obvious mechanical malfunction, and you might also be certain the sterilizing agent is penetrating the package and reaching the instruments inside.
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