How to Spore Test Your Autoclave
How to Spore Test Your Autoclave
There are three ways to spore test your autoclave:
- Mail it out weekly/monthly to a spore test lab and get results (usually takes 1-2 weeks).
- Do it yourself in your own office, using a small spore test ampoule (aka biological indicator). Get results in only 20 minutes, 100% accurate and FDA-approved.
- Do it yourself in your own office, using a small spore test ampoule (aka biological indicator). Get results in 10 hours, also 100% accurate and FDA-approved.
Here are the advantages and disadvantages of each method:
| Comparison | Mail-In Spore Testing | In-Office Spore Testing (20-Min Results) | In-Office Spore Testing (10-Hour Results) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accuracy | 90% (can be spoiled in mail or at the lab) | 100% | 100% |
| Speed | 1-2 weeks | 20 minutes | 10 hours |
| Paper result | Yes, provided by the lab | Yes, printed upon completion | No (recorded in log book) |
| FDA approved | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Annual cost (weekly) | $335 | $540 | $299 |
| Initial cost | $335 | $1,175 | $530 |
| Safer | If you get a failed test, everything sterilized in the last 2 weeks is questionable. | If you get a failed test, you would know this within 20 minutes. | If you get a failed test, you would know this within 5-10 hours (vial turns yellow). |
| Ease of use | Easy to do | Easy to do after the first test | Easy to do after the first test |
| If you get a fail | Takes another 2 weeks to find out if the 2nd test is OK | Find out in 20 minutes if the 2nd test is OK | Find out in 10 hours if the 2nd test is OK |
| Admin sees results of all locations | Yes | Yes | No |
| Connects to computer network | Yes | Yes | No |
Why Is the Risk So Low With In-Office Spore Testing?
With near instant results, your staff will know if the instruments were properly sterilized and are safe to use on patients. You don't need to wait, which increases turnaround time for use of the instruments while minimizing human error and prevents mistakes by using tools that may not be 100% sterilized.
Does your team wait until they receive spore test results in the mail before using the tools that were sterilized?
If not, then your practice may be compromised for lack of compliance, and possibly using non-sterile instruments on patients.
If your staff does wait to receive results from the lab in the mail for spore tests, there is still an increased chance of human error and risk of contamination. Are sterilization loads properly recorded, packaged, and stored in a secure place? Can you track what instruments belong to which lab result? Some companies use advanced Sterilization I.D. Labeling Systems like Labelex to record load number with date/time stamps to track these, but there is also the risk of holes in pouches or improper recording.
20-Minute Results In-Office
| Product | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
 |
Bionova MiniBio Auto-Reader Starter Kit Included with kit: 20 Minute Steam Ultra-Rapid Biological Indicators, 50/box. (Replaces mail-in spore testing! 100% accurate!) |
$1,185 per kit |
 |
Ultra-Rapid Biological Indicators for Steam Sterilizers, 20 Minute Results, 50/box | $270 / box of 50 |
10-Hour Results In-Office
| Product | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
 |
SteriCheck Digital Incubator Starter Kit for Steam Sterilization Included with kit: 10 Hour Biological Indicators, 100/box, 1 Steripen Sterilizer Chemical Indicator Pen, 1 Autoclave LogBook for Steam Sterilizers, 1 |
$530 per kit |
 |
10-Hour Biological Indicators for Steam Sterilization, Refills, 100/box | $299 / box of 100 |
Mail-In Spore Testing Services
| Product | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
 |
Duo-Spore® Biological Indicator Test with culture service for monthly, bi-weekly, or weekly monitoring of Steam, EtO Gas, and Dry Heat sterilizers. Results within 48 hours after the indicator arrives at the lab. | $415 / kit of 12 tests |
|
SporeAlert Biological Indicator Test with culture service for monthly, bi-weekly, or weekly monitoring of Steam, EtO Gas, and Dry Heat sterilizers. Results within 48 hours after the indicator arrives at the lab. See kits: BI-SA12-Kit, BI-SA26-Kit, BI-SA52-Kit |
$120 / box of 12 $225 / box of 26 $335 / box of 52 |
Chemical Indicators (Test Each Cycle)
| Product | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
|
Class 5 Moving-Front Steam Integrators, 250/bag Class 5 Moving Front Chemical Integrator for Steam sterilization processes between 118°C and 138°C. Sterilization conditions are met if the indicator moves into the "Accept" area. |
$49 / bag of 250 |
|
Class 4, 8" Chemical Indicator Strip, 250/box (can be divided to make 500) Multi-parameter Class 4 Steam Chemical Indicator printed with reactive ink for Steam sterilization processes. |
$29 / box of 25 |