Sterilization — Monitoring
- How is the sterilization process monitored?
- How often should I perform biological monitoring (BI) (spore testing)?
- If sterilizing an implantable device, should users perform biological monitoring (spore testing) more frequently?
- What should I do if a spore test result is positive?
- Common Factors Influencing the Effectiveness of Sterilization
- References
How is the sterilization process monitored?
Sterilization procedures should be monitored through a combination of mechanical, chemical, and biological techniques designed to evaluate the sterilizing conditions and the procedure's effectiveness.
- Mechanical techniques for monitoring sterilization include assessing the cycle time, temperature, and pressure of sterilization equipment by observing the gauges or displays on the sterilizer. Some tabletop sterilizers have recording devices that print out these parameters. Correct readings do not ensure sterilization, but incorrect readings could be the first indication that a problem has occurred with the sterilization cycle.
- Chemical indicators, internal and external, use sensitive chemicals to assess physical conditions such as temperature during the sterilization process. Chemical indicators such as heat sensitive tape change color rapidly when a given parameter is reached. An internal chemical indicator should be placed in every sterilization package to ensure the sterilization agent has penetrated the packaging material and actually reached the instruments inside. An external indicator should be used when the internal indicator cannot be seen from outside the package. Single-parameter internal indicators provide information on only one sterilization parameter and are available for steam, dry heat, and unsaturated chemical vapor. Multiparameter internal indicators measure 2–3 parameters and can provide a more reliable indication that sterilization conditions have been met. Multiparameter internal indicators are only available for steam sterilizers (i.e., autoclaves). Refer to manufacturer instructions for proper use and placement of chemical indicators.
Indicator test results are shown immediately after the sterilization cycle is complete and could provide an early indication of a problem and where the problem occurred in the process. If the internal or external indicator suggests inadequate processing, the item that has been processed should not be used. Because chemical indicators do not prove sterilization has been achieved, a biological indicator (i.e., spore test) is required.
- Biological indicators (BIs) are the most accepted means of monitoring the sterilization process because they directly determine whether the most resistant microorganisms (e.g., Geobacillus or Bacillus species) are present rather than merely determine whether the physical and chemical conditions necessary for sterilization are met. Because spores used in BIs are more resistant and present in greater numbers than are the common microbial contaminants found on patient care equipment, an inactivated BI indicates that other potential pathogens in the load have also been killed.
How often should I perform biological monitoring (BI) (spore testing)?
Correct functioning of sterilization cycles should be verified for each sterilizer by the periodic (at least weekly) use of BIs. Users should follow the manufacturer's directions concerning the appropriate placement of the BI in the sterilizer. A control BI (not processed through the sterilizer) from the same lot as the test indicator should be incubated with the test BI. The control BI should yield positive results for bacterial growth. In addition to conducting routine biological monitoring, equipment users should perform biological monitoring.
- Whenever a new type of packaging material or tray is used.
- After training new sterilization personnel.
- After a sterilizer has been repaired.
- After any change in the sterilizer loading procedures.
If sterilizing an implantable device, should users perform biological monitoring (spore testing) more frequently?
Any load containing implantable devices should be monitored. Ideally, implantable items should not be used until the results of tests are known to be negative. As previously noted, the manufacturer's directions concerning the appropriate placement of the biologic indicator (BI) in the sterilizer must be followed. A control BI (not processed through the sterilizer) from the same lot as the test indicator should be incubated in the same manner as the test BI. The control biological indicator should yield positive results for bacterial growth.
What should I do if a spore test result is positive?
If the mechanical (e.g., time, temperature, pressure) and chemical (internal or external) indicators suggest that the sterilizer is functioning properly, a single positive spore test result probably does not indicate sterilizer malfunction. Items other than implantable items do not necessarily need to be recalled; however, sterilizer operators should repeat the spore test immediately using the same cycle that produced the positive BI. The sterilizer should be removed from service and sterilization operating procedures reviewed to determine whether operator error could be responsible.
If the result of the repeat spore test is negative and operating procedures were correct, then the sterilizer can be returned to service. If the repeat spore test result is positive, do not use the sterilizer until it has been inspected or repaired and rechallenged with BI tests in three consecutive empty-chamber sterilization cycles. When possible, items from suspect loads dating back to the last negative BI should be recalled, rewrapped, and resterilized.
Results of biological monitoring and sterilization monitoring reports should be recorded.
Common Factors Influencing the Effectiveness of Sterilization
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Modified from Miller CH and Palenik CJ (1998).
Selected References and Additional Resources
American Dental Association. Biological indicators for verifying sterilization. J Am Dent Assoc 1988; 117:653–654.
American Dental Association. Guidelines for infection control in the dental office and the commercial dental laboratory. J Am Dent Assoc 1996;127:672–680.
Andres MT, Tejerina JM, Fierro JF. Reliability of biologic indicators in a mail-return sterilization-monitoring service: A review of 3 years, Quintessence Intern 1995;25:865–870.
Association of Operating Room Nurses. AORN standards and recommended practices for perioperative nursing. 1987;Section III:14.1-III:14.11.
Association of Operating Room Nurses. Recommended practices for sterilization in perioperative practice settings. In: Fogg D, Parker N, Shevlin D, eds. Standards, Recommended Practices, and Guidelines, Denver: AORN, 2002;333–342.
CDC. Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings, 2003. MMWR, December 19, 2003:52(RR-17).
CDC Recommended infection control practices for dentistry, 1993. MMWR 1993;42(No. RR-8):1–12.
Favero MS. Developing indicators for monitoring sterilization. In: Rutala W, ed. Disinfection, Sterilization, and Antisepsis in Healthcare. Washington, DC: Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc.,1998:119–132.
Garner JS, Favero MS. Guideline for handwashing and hospital environmental control. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, CDC, 1985.
Greene VW. Control of sterilization process. In: Russell AD, Hugo WB, Ayliffe GAF, eds. Principles and Practice of Disinfection, Preservation, and Sterilization. Oxford, England: Blackwell Scientific Publications, 1992;605–624.
Maki DG, Hassemer CA. Flash sterilization: Carefully measured haste. Infect Control 1987;18:307–310.
Miller CH, Sheldrake MA. The ability of biological indicators to detect sterilization failures. Am J Dent 1994;7:95–97.
Miller CH, Palenik CJ. Instrument processing. In: Miller CH, Palenik DJ, eds. Infection Control and Management of Hazardous Materials for the Dental Team, 2nd ed. St. Louis: Mosby, 1998;135–174.
Miller, CH. Use of spore test for quality assurance in infection control. Am J Dent 2001;14:114.
Molinari JA, Rosen S, Runnells RR. Heat sterilization and monitoring. In: Cottone JA, Terezhalmy GT, Molinari JA, eds. Practical Infection Control in Dentistry, 2nd ed. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins, 1996: 149–160.
Organization for Safety and Asepsis Procedures Research Foundation. Monthly Focus: The sterilization process. Annapolis, MD: OSAP, 1997.
Organization for Safety and Asepsis Procedures Research Foundation. Monthly Focus: Biologic indicators. Annapolis, MD: OSAP, 1997.
Organization for Safety and Asepsis Procedures Research Foundation. Monthly Focus: Selecting and evaluating a sterilization monitoring service. Annapolis, MD: OSAP, 2000.
Page last reviewed: October 29, 2008
Page last modified: July 15, 2006
Content source:
Division of Oral Health,
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and
Health Promotion
