Tech in Surgery Prep / Unit 7 TSC 153 worked example, 60 to 90 seconds
Chemical Indicators
The idea
Chemical indicators use heat- or chemical-sensitive inks that change color when sterilization conditions are present.
In practice
Learn where they go and what they mean. First, an external indicator, such as indicator tape, is fixed to the outside of every package; it shows only that the package went through a cycle. Second, an internal indicator goes inside each package, where it shows that the sterilant actually penetrated to the contents. Third, a change of color means the conditions the indicator measures were reached, not that every microbe died. Fourth, if either the internal or the external indicator suggests inadequate processing, the item is not used.
Where people slip
Chemical indicators can show a pass when exposure was only marginal, which is why the guideline says they should be used with biological indicators, never instead of them. A color change is evidence about conditions, not proof of sterility.
Your place on the trail
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