How can I tell if something is sterile. How do I know if something is sterilized.

TOUR

How do I read the sterilization indicators on the bags.
How do I know if something is sterilized.
(Please read additional information in second box.)

CrossTex Pouches have two sets of light Pink arrows.
that change color after going through a sterilization cycle.
2 on top and 2 on bottom.

	Typical Layout of CrossTex Pouches
	<< These 2 Arrows react to Steam Processing


	<< These 2 Arrows react to Gas Processing

The top Steam reactive Arrows change
to Dark Brown when steam processed. STEAM

The bottom Gas reactive Arrows change
to Golden when EO Gas Sterilized. GAS

Indicators on bags as illustrated above only show that it was in your sterilizer and went through
a cycle. The indicators usually only measure one parameter and do not prove sterilization.

Steam sterilization has 4 requirements:
temperature, steam, time and low bio-burden level.

The "arrow" indicators that are printed on the bag are not Biological Spore Tests
and do not prove sterilization. They only prove that the items were processed in your
sterilizer.
The assumption is: since your last spore tests passed biological spore testing and your sterilizer
is monitored that it is working normally it is likely these will have pass without having to biologically
test every load.
Your autoclave does needs periodic spore testing to maintain assurance.
Contact your local Health Department to find out how often they require testing.

Sterilizers that require human adjustment to maintain the sterilization parameters, such as
adjusting the time or temperature during the load processing, must be spore tested for every load.
The items sterilized must be kept in quarantine until a negative-growth result has been obtained
that they are safe to use.

Sterility Assurance means that repeated biological spore testing consistently produces
negative spore test results.
When your sterilized spore test is incubated and nothing grows, you killed or inactivated the test spores.
If your spore tests consistently show that your sterilizer passes time after time,
then you have what is called Sterility Assurance, that the current items are most likely sterile
and would be safe to use.

This does not apply to Implantable items.
Every item to be implanted must be biologically tested before being implanted.

All new, moved or repaired sterilizers must have 3 spore tests before being put into use.

Biological Sterilization Test kits

Additional Sterilization Comments

For added assurance.

# MS-1329, ProChem Strips, Integrators
Placed Inside the pouch
$ 10.00/ 250 per box.
Steam Sterilization Integrators
react to steam penetration into the pouch.