biological indicators for flash sterilization

[anna grayson]

At the hospital where I work, the CSPD department is responsible for incubating the 3m 1hr. attest bios for flash sterilization.
Here is my problem: In the main OR the bios are usually done between 12am and 2am. Rarely are they brought down to CS before 6AM. There are occasions were CS has to call and keep reminding them and then sometimes they are brought down in the late afternoons. I did a random day check and found that the bios were run between 12AM and 1AM but CS did not get them to incubate before 2PM!. I also checked their logs and found some of the flash sterilizers were used without knowing the results.
I remember reading somewhere that the biologicals need to be incubated as soon as they are cool enough to handle. I also remember reading that if they are not incubated within a certain time frame the results would possibly be a false negative or at least questionable.
I shudder to think of the ramifications.
Where can I find documentation to substantiate my position that they need to be incubated within a certain time frame? From AAMI or 3M or elsewhere?

[eshep]

You can find the information on the package insert that 3M has in with their product.

[anna grayson]

Thanks for the information. I read and re-read the insert as well as the manual and there is nothing stating how long a processed biological can remain out of the incubator before testing. So I called 3M and learned that as long as the cap is not crushed you can take up to 5 days to incubate the vial.
The problem with that statement is that it doesn't correspond to the practice of testing the sterilizers around the same time on a daily basis and can leave room for error.

[Guest]

Even after you have run a biological first thing in the A.M., is it also advisable to run a biological when you flash an item?

[JenniferT]

We do a Biological Test first thing in the morning and then only for implants not for every load
Jennifer

[Guest]

I was wondering how others are disposing of their biologicals and controls?

[ladyj]

our biologicals are disposed of in a biohazard container. I think the method of disposal is stated on whatever packaging material you have from your vendor. JCAHO may ask that very question and check to see if that is in fact what you are doing.
We do a biological with all implant loads. Additionally, the Bouie is done first thing in am.

[Mana]

The facility that I work at uses a 3M product called REI that produces results in 20 seconds with no need to incubate. This has worked for us very well. Onces the load is taken out let the REi cool for a few seconds, enough to touch, then you can place 3-5 drops of solution in the capsule wait 20 seconds then you read your results.

[Guest]

why cant you just give the OR their own test reader and let them read and record their own Bio's? our OR only flash steralizes and records their own bios.

[Guest]

Why not just use a Class 5 Integrator? Tells you the same thing. If you are not incubating it is not a biological indicator.