What Are Biological Indicators?

Biological indicators (BIs), also known as spore tests, are essential tools used in sterilization processes to verify that the sterilization cycle has effectively killed the most resistant forms of bacteria, including spores. BIs contain live bacterial spores that are highly resistant to the sterilization process being monitored.

How Do Biological Indicators Work?

Biological indicators work by challenging the sterilization process with a known number of bacterial spores. After the sterilization cycle is complete, the BI is incubated to allow any surviving spores to grow. If no growth is observed after incubation, it indicates that the sterilization process was successful in killing the spores.

Types of Biological Indicators

Self-Contained Biological Indicators (SCBIs)

SCBIs consist of a sealed vial containing a spore strip and a growth medium. After the sterilization cycle, the vial is crushed to release the spores onto the growth medium. The vial is then incubated to allow for spore growth and detection. Our ValueTest 24 hour BI is an example of this method.

Benefits of Using Biological Indicators

High Sensitivity

Biological indicators are highly sensitive to the sterilization process, making them an excellent indicator of sterilization efficacy. They can detect failures in the sterilization process that other monitoring methods may miss.

Regulatory Compliance

Canadian Standards Association (CSA) creates guidelines for reprocessing of medical devices in which local provincial regulatory bodies as well as professional colleges and associations will follow to give direction on best practice and requirements of reprocessing. In heathcare, they recommend the use of biological indicators to ensure sterilization effectiveness. Using BIs helps healthcare facilities comply with these regulations.

Process Verification

Biological indicators provide a direct measure of the sterilization process’s effectiveness by testing for the presence of live bacterial spores. This allows healthcare facilities to verify that their sterilization processes are working correctly.

Using Biological Indicators in Your Facility

Biological indicators should be used routinely to monitor the effectiveness of sterilization processes. They should be used in conjunction with other sterilization monitoring tools, such as chemical indicators and class 5 integrators, to ensure comprehensive monitoring of the sterilization process.

Shop Biological Indicators at Valuemed

Valuemed offers a range of biological indicators to meet your sterilization monitoring needs. Browse our selection today and ensure the effectiveness and safety of your sterilization processes. Our ValueTest 24 Hour Biological Indicators are a value priced to be a great choice for most healthcare reprocessing departments.