The only way to ensure that sterilization has occurred is to use the biological monitoring methods. This is because these are the only tests done which show whether or not actual microbial life has been killed. Biological methods are the only ones which are recommended by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), the AAMI (Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation), the AMA (American Medical Association), OSHA, and OSA P (Office Safety and Asepsis Procedures Foundation) Biological monitoring is basically evaluating a sterilization process by rendering highly resistant bacterial spores biologically inert. The highly resistant bacterial spores used varies depending on what kind of sterilizer was used. For example Bacillus stearothermophilus spores for steam and chemical vapor sterilizers, Bacillus subtilis spores for dry heat and ethylene oxide sterilizers. These specific Bacillus spores are used because they are more resistant, and present in greater numbers than are the common microbial contaminants found on patient care equipment.
If it is proven that these spores have been killed, it is strongly implied that other potential pathogens in the load have also been killed. In this method, living spores which are resistant to whichever sterilizing agent is being tested are prepared in either a self contained system, such as dry spore strips, or in sealed vials or ampules of spores in suspension. Then the prepared living spores are exposed to the sterilant. After exposure they are incubated along with an unexposed or control group of spores for the same period of time. If sterilization has occurred the spores which were exposed will not multiply. The control group should grow microorganisms and display a change in color.
The Term Paper on Biological Warfare
There is no longer a question of whether or not a bioterrorist will attack, but rather the question remains, when will they attack? It is highly likely that a terrorist group could threaten or attack Americans with germs within the next few years, according to President Clinton. (Solomon) Biological warfare intentionally uses viruses, bacteria, fungi, or toxins from living organisms and death or ...
If this does not occur, then it’s spores have been inactivated and the test is invalid. This is because if the control spores were inactivated, it is possible the spores which were exposed also became inactivated prior to sterilization. Every item sterilized in the load with the indicator involved in an invalid test is considered unsterile. This is the case whenever there is an uncertainty about either the indicator of the control. Biological testing should be done often.
The CDC recommends one spore strip test per sterilizer per week. The biological indicator should be placed in the center of the largest and most difficult to sterilize pack. The pack should then be placed horizontally in the lower front portion of the of the sterilizer chamber to make the sterilization process as difficult as possible. Testing should be done repeatedly every time a sterilizer is calibrated, repaired, or relocated to make sure the machine is working correctly. It should also be performed whenever a new type of packaging material or tray is used, after training new sterilization personnel, and after any change in sterilizer loading procedures. The importance of these tests is that it is the closest we can get to guaranteeing sterility of the instruments used on patients.
The practice of sterilizing all reusable instruments and medical devices between patient use is the highest level of patient protection. It is impossible to measure the sterility of every single processed instrument, and implanted device. However, the instrument-processing procedure itself and the effectiveness of the sterilization cycle can be evaluated through biological monitoring.
Bibliography:
web control / faq /sterilization monitoring. htm Howard Fortunato, Nancy marie et al. Berry and Kohn’s Operating Room Technique 9 th edition Mosby-Year Book Incorporated 2000.
