EFHSS Questions and Answers - Question Q00360

thanks for help

can u advice me about the biological indicators. we are using the biological indicatore once aweek

can we use it evry load or once aweek is engh?

thanks for helping us

Dear Ahmed,

Biological Indicator (BI) testing frequency varies among healthcare users. Some hospitals in Europe do not test with BIs at all, while others and most U.S. hospitals follow Standards-setting bodies as AAMI and AORN guidelines that recommend to use biological indicators at least weekly in steam sterilizers and in every load when implants are sterilized.
In my view the frequency of testing should be guided by the technical information concerning the operational safety of the sterilizer, the frequency of its use, and appropriate valid standards.
As there are no united international standards, the frequency of routine BIs use is a decision of the individual CSSD and/or the regulatory agencies that set standards for the test frequency.
Ahmed please read on our Education page "Can chemical indicators replace biological ones in routine control of sterilization processes?" and the answers to questions Q00027, Q00131 and Q00133.

Best regards
Josy Holdener