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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
REPORT CARD Sterilizer printouts confirm successful
cycles, if you know where to look.
4. Biological
testing
AAMI says biological
indicators, which
represent the ultimate challenge to the
sterilization process,
should be run at
least weekly, but
preferably daily. A
good rule of thumb is
to run a biological
indicator in a full
instrument load
every day you're performing surgery. You
must also run 3 consecutive biological
indicator tests for
each cycle type (gravity [if used] and pre-vacuum) followed by 3 BowieDick tests in an empty chamber any time a new sterilizer is installed,
moved or undergoes a major repair.
Finally, you must include a biological indicator in loads containing
implants, for which the CDC wants a higher level of sterility assurance.
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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 | J A N U A R Y 2013
