It is good practice to place the strips in a different location of the sterilizer each week to help identify any “cold spots” within the sterilizer.Īll staff members who operate the sterilizer should receive training about proper sterilizer operation procedures and instrument processing techniques in the office. If there are no instructions, place the spore test strip within a wrapped set of instruments in the most difficult area to be sterilized, which is normally the lower front area of the sterilizer. The glassine-bound spore strips should be placed according to the sterilizer manufacturer’s instructions. Lot number and expiration date are printed on each glassine. It allows the laboratory to transport the strip within the glassine from the sterilizer to a laminar flow hood, where it can be properly handled. Glassine paper is permeable to sterilant but resistant to moisture and air at ambient temperature/pressure. Specific spores, Geobacillus stearothermophilus for steam/chemical sterilizers and Bacillus atrophaeus for dry heat sterilizers, are inoculated onto strips of specialized filter paper that is packaged in a peel-open, glassine paper pouch. Records retention requirements of spore test results vary by state check with your state dental board for more information.Īlso referred to as spore testing, biological monitoring consists of using biological indicators impregnated with highly resistant, nonpathogenic bacterial spores to test a sterilizer’s function. When spores are killed during a sterilization cycle, it is assumed that all microorganisms have been destroyed and sterilization is achieved. Biological monitoring is the standard for assuring proper sterilization of dental instruments.īoth the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Dental Association recommend, and most state dental boards require, that dental offices verify the proper functioning of the sterilization cycle at least weekly using a biological indicator, such as the OSHA Review’s Spore Check System from OSHA Review, Inc. Proceeds from the program promote the education of dental students at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry.Regular sterilizer monitoring in a dental office, when properly implemented, is an important part of infection control verification, and includes a combination of process parameters to evaluate the sterilizing conditions and the sterilizer’s effectiveness.Offices can opt out of receiving routine culture reports by mail. Clients have the ability to go paperless.Consultation with faculty and staff is available at no charge.Tests are identified with bar codes to ensure accurate entry of client information and proper identification of each test.Postage paid envelopes are provided for return of specimens.Retest strips are sent free of charge for all positive results. All positive results are telephoned immediately. ![]() Our website allows unlimited access to test results dating back to 2013, including cultures received and in progress. Our many years of experience with monitoring allow us to provide prompt, knowledgeable, courteous service to our clients. ![]() We offer weekly and monthly testing programs to meet the requirements for dental offices, medical clinics, spas, and tattoo studios. The University of Iowa Sterilizer Monitoring Program provides biological monitoring tests for sterilizer users across the country.
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