How to Use Biological Indicators in Autoclave?

In medical institutions, laboratories, and the pharmaceutical industry, sterilization is a critical step in ensuring the safety of products and devices. To verify the effectiveness of the sterilization process, sterilization biological indicators have become indispensable tools. So, how do you correctly use biological indicators in autoclave? Tianrun will provide a detailed explanation and share usage tips and precautions.

What are Sterilization Biological Indicators?

A sterilization biological indicator is a tool used to monitor whether the sterilization process has achieved the expected results. It typically contains heat-resistant or chemically resistant microbial spores. By detecting the survival of these spores, it can be determined whether the sterilizer has truly completed the sterilization task. In the packaging of medical devices, surgical instruments, and pharmaceuticals, biological indicators are an important means of verifying sterilization effectiveness.

Steps for Using Sterilization Biological Indicators

Choosing the Appropriate Biological Indicator

Based on the type of sterilizer (high-temperature steam sterilizer, ethylene oxide sterilizer, low-temperature plasma sterilizer, etc.), select the appropriate high-temperature sterilization biological indicator or low-temperature sterilization biological indicator. Different sterilization methods have different requirements for biological indicators, ensuring that the indicators can withstand the sterilization conditions.

Placing the Biological Indicator

When loading instruments or items into the sterilizer, place the biological indicator in the area least likely to be sterilized, also known as the “cold spot.” This accurately reflects the sterilization effect and avoids misjudging sterilization success.

Performing a Sterilization Cycle

Initiate the sterilization program according to the sterilizer’s operating specifications. During this process, the sterilization biological indicator will be subjected to temperature, pressure, or chemical sterilizing agents to verify that the sterilization environment meets the standard requirements.

Testing the Biological Indicator

After sterilization, remove the biological indicator for incubation or result reading. Some modern biological indicators use rapid-reading types, providing results within hours, significantly improving sterilization efficiency. Observing whether spores are viable can determine whether sterilization is thorough.

Advantages of Using Sterilization Biological Indicators

Ensuring Sterilization Quality

Using sterilization biological indicators allows for direct assessment of the sterilizer’s effectiveness, avoiding the risk of infection or drug contamination due to incomplete sterilization.

Enhancing Medical Safety

The application of biological indicators can effectively ensure patient safety for hospital surgical instruments and disposable medical supplies.

Compliant with Industry Standards

Many medical institutions and pharmaceutical companies require the regular use of biological indicators to comply with relevant sterilization management standards such as ISO and FDA.

Easy to Use and Quick to Detect

Modern sterilization biological indicators use color change or rapid culture methods, making them easy to use and suitable for daily use in laboratories and medical institutions.

Precautions for Using Biological Indicators

Strictly Follow Operating Procedures

Placement, sterilization time, and temperature must be strictly followed according to the sterilizer instructions and indicator usage instructions.

Replace Indicators Regularly

Biological indicators have an expiration date; expired indicators may lead to inaccurate results.

Record and Track Results

Record indicator test results after each sterilization operation for quality control and traceability management.

Avoid Contamination

Maintain a sterile environment when handling biological indicators to avoid external contamination affecting the results.

Conclusion

In the modern medical and pharmaceutical industries, the correct use of sterilization biological indicators is crucial for ensuring the safety and effectiveness of the sterilization process. By selecting appropriate biological indicators, placing them scientifically, operating them rigorously, and conducting timely monitoring, sterilization quality can be effectively improved, protecting the safety of patients and laboratory staff. Furthermore, using high-quality biological indicators with rapid readings or those that are heat-resistant can enhance work efficiency and sterilization management.

For any institution using sterilizers, mastering the use of sterilization biological indicators is not only a compliance requirement but also a vital step in ensuring medical safety.