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S T E R I L I Z A T I O N
A S S U R A N C E
AAMI recommends that biological test packs placed in implant loads
include a Class 5 chemical integrator in the event the implant must be
released before the results of the biological test is known. Buying biological test packs with Class 5 indicator already included is more costly, but it's one less thing for your central sterile staff to keep track of
when running loads that include implants.
Place biological indicator test packs flat (not on their side) in a sterilizer's most challenging location. In non-tabletop sterilizers larger
than 2 cubic feet, that spot is always over the drain-line basket on the
bottom shelf. In tabletop sterilizers with chambers smaller than 2
cubic feet, biological testing is always done in a full load, even during
re-testing after a repair. The most important item in biological indicator loads is the test pack. Never squeeze test packs wherever there's
room; place them in the proper location before loading the sterilizer.
OSM
Ms. Chobin (nancy.chobin@att.net) is the assistant vice president of sterile
processing services for the Saint Barnabas Health Care System in West
Orange, N.J., and executive director of the Certification Board for Sterile
Processing and Distribution.
J A N U A R Y 2013 | O U T PAT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E
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