What does a positive BI Test result indicate?

A positive Biological Indicator (BI) Test result indicates that the sterilization process was not effective. Biological indicators contain live spores of microorganisms that are resistant to the sterilization process being tested. When a BI test is performed, it is incubated after being exposed to a sterilization cycle. A positive result shows that the spores survived the process, meaning that not all microorganisms were killed, which directly suggests that the sterilization did not achieve its intended efficacy.

In the context of the choices, the other options incorrectly suggest that a positive BI result confirms the effectiveness of the sterilization process or indicates that all test spores were killed. A negative BI result would affirm that the sterilization process was effective, as it would indicate that the spores were killed. This differentiation is crucial for maintaining the safety and effectiveness of sterilization practices in sterile processing. Therefore, understanding the implication of a positive BI result is essential for infection control and ensuring patient safety.