Monitoring & QAQuestion 60 of 100
A department is setting its biological monitoring policy for a steam sterilizer used for routine loads. How frequently should a biological indicator be run?
a.Monthly, and after any repair
b.At least daily on each day the sterilizer is used, preferably in every load, and always in loads containing implants
c.Only in loads containing implants
d.Annually, as part of preventive maintenance
Explanation
Biological monitoring at least once each day of use is the minimum expectation, with every-load monitoring recommended because it narrows the recall population if a failure occurs. Implant loads always require a biological indicator in a process challenge device, and the load is quarantined until the result is read. Monthly and annual intervals leave far too many loads unverified.
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Related questions on this topic
- Which organism is used in biological indicators for steam sterilization, and why?
- A Class 1 chemical indicator is applied to the outside of every wrapped tray. What does it tell the user?
- Which class of chemical indicator reacts to all critical variables of the sterilization cycle and has performance correlated to a biological indicator?
- A technician finds a box of chemical indicators labeled for use only in a cycle of 270 degrees F for 4 minutes. What type of indicator is this?
- A supervisor asks a technician to assemble a process challenge device for the daily biological indicator test. What is a process challenge device?
- Where should the process challenge device be placed in a steam sterilizer chamber for routine biological monitoring?
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