What should be done if a sterilizer fails a biological indicator test?

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!

If a sterilizer fails a biological indicator test, it is crucial to report the findings and conduct maintenance. This step is vital to ensure patient safety and the efficacy of the sterilization process. A biological indicator test is designed to evaluate the effectiveness of the sterilization process by using highly resistant bacterial spores. A failure indicates that the sterilization cycle may not have been effective in eliminating all microbial life, which poses a risk of infection if instruments are used without proper sterilization.

By reporting the failure, the appropriate steps can be taken to investigate the issue further and to perform necessary maintenance or repairs on the sterilizer. This approach helps to identify the cause of the failure and ensures that the equipment is functioning correctly before it is used again. Additionally, conducting thorough maintenance can prevent future failures and ensure compliance with infection control standards.

Continuing to use the sterilizer without addressing the failure or reprocessing all loads without taking corrective action puts patients at risk, while changing all chemical indicators does not address the underlying mechanical or operational issues with the sterilizer itself.

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