Sterilizer Monitoring

It's recommended. Both the CDC and the ADA advise weekly sterilizer monitoring.

Patients. Today, dental patients are demanding more information and assurances concerning infection control. patients want to know that precautions are being taken to prevent the spreading of harmful infectious agents such as HIV, Herpes and Hepatitis B.

Documentation. Records proving that your sterilizer is operating properly will be sent directly to your office.

Our Sterilizer Monitoring Service can assist you in the following ways:

evaluating and monitoring the effectiveness of your instrument sterilization procedure;

providing you with documentation of compliance with professional standards;

providing you with a Certificate of Participation;

making professionals available to field your sterilizer monitoring questions.

How the Monitoring Service Works.

For verifying sterilization, biological indicators prove to be the best. Evaluations can be made on the mechanical function and operator technique for steam, chemical vapor and dry heat sterilizers. The biological indicators come in the form of prepackaged test kits.

Each test has two cellophane envelopes containing a spore strip. Spores from two non-pathogenic bacteria, Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus stearothermophilus, are placed onto paper indicator strips. One strip is run through a sterilizer cycle under normal sterilization conditions. The other envelope serves as a positive control. Both the test and control samples are placed in the provided envelope and mailed to Cottrell, Ltd. for evaluation within 72 hours.

If growth occurs from the processed strip you will immediately be notified by telephone and instructed to repeat the procedure. A simple call to our office supplies you with a complimentary test kit. A second positive test signals you to immediately have your sterilization system serviced by the manufacturer. If the tests are negative, a laboratory report will be mailed to you for your files.

A year's supply of biological monitoring strips will be sent to you when you enroll in the program. Please note the expiration dates on the strips.