Common questions

What should a dental sterilization log record?

The date, the cycle number, the sterilizer, what was in the load, whether the cycle reached its parameters, the chemical indicator result, any test result, and who released the load. That lets you trace an instrument back to its cycle.

How often should a dental sterilizer be spore tested?

Many guidelines call for a biological (spore) test at least weekly, and with every load that contains an implant. For example, the US CDC recommends at least weekly. Check your own guidelines and the maker’s instructions.

What’s the difference between chemical and biological indicators?

A chemical indicator changes color when the pack has been exposed to the right conditions, and is checked on every pack. A biological indicator contains bacterial spores, and shows whether the cycle actually killed them. It’s used for periodic tests.

What should happen when a sterilizer cycle fails?

Don’t use the load. Take the sterilizer out of use, reprocess the instruments in a working sterilizer, record the failure, and find the cause before using it again. A failed spore test may mean recalling instruments from earlier loads, so follow your failure procedure.

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