Tech in Surgery Prep / Unit 7 TSC 155 worked example, 60 to 90 seconds
Biological Indicators
The idea
Biological indicators contain highly resistant bacterial spores, and they are the only indicators that directly test whether a process kills microbes.
In practice
Follow how one is used. First, an indicator with the right spores for the method is placed in a test pack or in the load: one species for steam, hydrogen peroxide gas plasma and peracetic acid, another for ethylene oxide and dry heat. Second, the cycle runs. Third, the indicator is incubated; modern rapid-readout indicators give results within hours. Fourth, no growth means the spores, which are more resistant than ordinary contamination, were killed, so other microbes in the load almost certainly were too. Steam sterilizers are tested at least weekly, and daily if they run often. Every load containing an implant is tested, and implants are held, where feasible, until the result is negative.
Where people slip
A biological indicator is the closest thing to proof that a process worked. That is why an implant is not used before its result is known, wherever the facility can manage it.
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