EFHSS Questions and Answers - Question Q00384

hi

can any body tell about the dry autoclaves are need to tested by the indicator i mean chemical or biological indicator if yes please tell if same with steam autoclave or not??
thanks

Hello Ahmed,

Since sterility is not feasible, it is necessary to use indicators for all sterilization method, to give assurance that the parameters of sterilization have been met. Each sterilization method has specific monitoring requirements. Consequently different types of spores have to be used to test steam and dry heat sterilization cycles. The spore test used for testing dry heat sterilization is Bacillus atrophaeus (until recently known as Bacillus subtilis; the name was changed to standardize terms for the International Standards Organization (ISO). Biological test should be done at least weekly or as needed. Also chemical indicators (internal and external) are designed to respond with a characteristic chemical or physical change within the specific sterilization method i.e. special dry heat sensitive tape has to be used for dry heat sterilization.

Kind regards
Josy Holdener