In the event of a positive biological indicator (BI) test, how many loads should be recalled?

Study for the Sterile Processing Technician Exam. Review flashcards and multiple choice questions, with hints and explanations for each question. Prepare for your certification exam!

When a positive biological indicator (BI) test is encountered, it indicates that there has been a failure in the sterilization process. As a result, the protocol typically requires recalling all loads processed since the last known negative BI test result. This is because any of these loads could contain sterilized instruments that may not be sterile, posing a potential risk to patient safety.

The reason for recalling these loads is to ensure that any items that may not have been adequately sterilized are not used in procedures, which underscores the importance of maintaining patient safety and compliance with infection control standards. Recalling items processed after the last known negative BI is a precautionary measure to mitigate the risk of infection that could occur from using improperly sterilized instruments.

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