Attest Controls!

[allis]

I would like to hear from different members how they treat their positive Attest controls. How do you dispose of them? Do you throw them in the garbage bin after removing them from the incubator? Thanks in advance for your answers.

[SHIRLEEN VANOCKER]

allis, we discard our biological controls in the sharps containers because there is crushed glass inside the vial

[pitbull]

we put ours in the sharps also for the same reason it has broken glass in the vial.

[allis]

Thanks Shirleen and Pitbull for your answers. The reason I asked that question is because in my facility we are seriously concerned about the billions of microorganisms that grow from the ATTEST controls and the risk posed to humans in particular and the environment in general. Why should a chance be given to those germs to spread over? We are still thinking it would be a good idea to put those controls in a peel pouch and sterilize the package before throwing it in the sharp container. Could anyone comment about that? Thanks!

[iowa gal]

Check the package insert from the Attest BIs. The ones that I have say "You may wish to sterilize any positive biological indicators prior to disposal". Another brand says to steam sterilize all BIs for 30 minutes at 121°C or incinerate them. I believe that most sharps containers are incinerated.

[pitbull]

yes our sharps are incenerated off site by our garbage people. so they go in the sharps container and straight to the fire.:)

[allis]

I believe that most sharps containers are incinerated.
That's true! But I wonder how long it takes for those vials to go to the incinerator after they are dropped in the sharp containers!