Open Forum

Hello,

One of our ambulatory clinics is implementing the use of autoclaving. We have been researching best practice and have been coming upon differing information on if and when to "spore test." 

Does anyone have advice of how often (if ever) you do spore testing and any research articles on best practice? 

Thanks!

The reference I have used in the past are from the CDC:

https://www.cdc.gov/infection-control/hcp/disinfection-sterilization/sterilizing-practices.html

https://www.cdc.gov/dental-infection-control/hcp/summary/sterilization-disinfection.html

They state that biological testing should occur at least weekly, but daily is preferable. I believe in a hospital setting, these are done with every load. 

Hello,

One of our ambulatory clinics is implementing the use of autoclaving. We have been researching best practice and have been coming upon differing information on if and when to "spore test." 

Does anyone have advice of how often (if ever) you do spore testing and any research articles on best practice? 

Thanks!

Hello,

One of our ambulatory clinics is implementing the use of autoclaving. We have been researching best practice and have been coming upon differing information on if and when to "spore test." 

Does anyone have advice of how often (if ever) you do spore testing and any research articles on best practice? 

Thanks!

Hello Sarah, 

The CDC reference Scott sent is a good start. The Joint Commission also follows the ANSI/AAMI ST79 standards which requires spore testing to be completed weekly per cycle type used. For example if your instruments require pouches 273F for 4min and others require pouches 270F for 3min a spore test should be run weekly (minimum) for each cycle setting. If the instruments need to be released for patient use sooner, then more frequent spore testing is helpful for small ambulatory clinics that may not have a large quantity of instruments. If the clinic only has medical surgical instruments autoclaving tends to be less complicated than when Dental instruments are also in use.  Good luck! 

Hello,

One of our ambulatory clinics is implementing the use of autoclaving. We have been researching best practice and have been coming upon differing information on if and when to "spore test." 

Does anyone have advice of how often (if ever) you do spore testing and any research articles on best practice? 

Thanks!

Hello Sarah, 

The CDC reference Scott sent is a good start. The Joint Commission also follows the ANSI/AAMI ST79 standards which requires spore testing to be completed weekly per cycle type used. For example if your instruments require pouches 273F for 4min and others require pouches 270F for 3min a spore test should be run weekly (minimum) for each cycle setting. If the instruments need to be released for patient use sooner, then more frequent spore testing is helpful for small ambulatory clinics that may not have a large quantity of instruments. If the clinic only has medical surgical instruments autoclaving tends to be less complicated than when Dental instruments are also in use.  Good luck! 

Hello,

One of our ambulatory clinics is implementing the use of autoclaving. We have been researching best practice and have been coming upon differing information on if and when to "spore test." 

Does anyone have advice of how often (if ever) you do spore testing and any research articles on best practice? 

Thanks!

Hello,

One of our ambulatory clinics is implementing the use of autoclaving. We have been researching best practice and have been coming upon differing information on if and when to "spore test." 

Does anyone have advice of how often (if ever) you do spore testing and any research articles on best practice? 

Thanks!