Why is sterilizer monitoring necessary? What types of sterilizer monitoring are available? Why use a sterilizer monitoring service? What is the difference between a one-strip and a two-strip test? What can cause a positive test?
Biological monitoring (spore testing) confirms that actual microbial life has been destroyed by using strips that contain a known quantity of bacterial spores. The strips, enclosed in protective glassine envelopes, are placed in the sterilizer unit during a normal cycle and then returned to a monitoring lab for analysis. This is the only method of truly validating sterilization. The Center for Disease Control recommends that weekly monitoring be performed through the use of biological indicators.
Chemical monitoring shows that the indicator has been exposed to the physical conditions within the sterilizer but does not prove sterilization.
Mechanical monitoring helps to determine if the proper sterilization parameters are being met through the use of temperature gauges, pressure gauges, and timers, but it does not indicate if sterilization has taken place.