Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 17, 2026
09:30
Microbial Control and Monitoring Strategies for Cleanroom Environments and Cellular Therapies
Published on: March 17, 2023
Developing the use of quality indicators in sterilization practices
H Jabbari1, H Alikhah, N Sahebkaram Alamdari
1Dept. of Community Medicine & Health Administration, Medical Faculty, Tabriz University of Medical Science, Tabriz, Iran ; National Public Health Management Center (NPMC), Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Iranian Journal of Public Health
|November 1, 2012
Summary
This study tracked chemical and biological indicator use in Tabriz hospitals from 1997-2011. Chemical indicator use reached 100%, but biological indicator use needs improvement for better sterilization control.
Area of Science:
- Infection Control
- Hospital Quality Improvement
- Sterilization Monitoring
Background:
- Health-care-associated infections pose a significant risk to patient safety.
- Effective control of infections is crucial for hospital accreditation.
- This study examined the evolving use of chemical and biological indicators in sterilization processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the trends in the utilization of chemical (class 6 products) and biological indicators in Tabriz district hospitals.
- To evaluate the impact of interventions on sterilization monitoring practices.
- To identify areas for improvement in infection control within central sterilization departments.
Main Methods:
- A time-trend interventional study was conducted across 21 public and private hospitals in Tabriz.
- Data on indicator use were collected and analyzed over several time points between 1997 and 2011.
- Hospitals and sterilization equipment (autoclaves, central sterilization rooms) were the units of analysis.
Main Results:
- A notable improvement in sterilization process control was observed by 2008.
- Chemical indicator use achieved 100% adoption across all studied hospitals.
- Deficiencies were identified in the consistent use of biological indicators, with utilization at 63.65%.
Conclusions:
- Significant progress was made in sterilization control, particularly in the adoption of chemical indicators.
- Continuous practical training for Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD) personnel is recommended.
- Mandating the use of indicators in all sterilization processes is advised, integrated into hospital accreditation evaluations.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Methods of Sterilization I: Physical Methods
As used in a healthcare facility, sterilization destroys all microorganisms through physical or chemical methods. The physical method includes steam, dry heat, boiling water, and radiation.
Steam sterilization uses non-toxic, low-cost moist heat in the form of saturated steam under pressure, which is fast, microbicidal, and sporicidal, and quickly warms and penetrates fabrics. Autoclaves, or steam sterilizers, expose each item to direct steam contact for a predetermined time at the necessary...
Steam sterilization uses non-toxic, low-cost moist heat in the form of saturated steam under pressure, which is fast, microbicidal, and sporicidal, and quickly warms and penetrates fabrics. Autoclaves, or steam sterilizers, expose each item to direct steam contact for a predetermined time at the necessary...
01:30Methods of Sterilization II: Chemical Methods
In healthcare, the chemical method of sterilization uses chemical sterilants to treat surgical instruments and medical supplies to help prevent the transmission of infectious pathogens to patients. Due to heat sensitivity, most medical supplies and equipment should not be exposed to high temperatures. These parts include rubber, plastic, glass, and other similar elements.
Using chemical sterilization rather than heat to clean out equipment is recommended. It eradicates and removes all bacteria,...
Using chemical sterilization rather than heat to clean out equipment is recommended. It eradicates and removes all bacteria,...
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
Essential infection prevention measures are based on the knowledge of the infection chain, the modes of transmission in healthcare settings, and the use of the best practices in all healthcare settings. Compulsory public reporting of healthcare-associated infection rates is needed to allow individuals and the community to make informed choices regarding selecting a healthcare facility.
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
01:30Cleaning, Sterilization, and Disinfection
Cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization are the methods that help to break the infection chain and prevent disease.
Cleaning
The cleaning process usually involves using water with detergents or enzymatic cleaner and removing foreign material from objects and surfaces, including organic material such as body fluids or inorganic material like soil. Cleaning is performed before high-level disinfection and sterilization because foreign materials on the cover of the devices interfere with process...
Cleaning
The cleaning process usually involves using water with detergents or enzymatic cleaner and removing foreign material from objects and surfaces, including organic material such as body fluids or inorganic material like soil. Cleaning is performed before high-level disinfection and sterilization because foreign materials on the cover of the devices interfere with process...
01:24Automated Microbial Diagnostics
Automated diagnostic analyzers have transformed clinical microbiology by providing rapid and reliable methods for pathogen identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing. Among these systems, the Vitek 2 is widely used because it automates the traditionally labor-intensive processes of microbial identification (ID) and antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST), delivering standardized and timely results that are essential for effective patient care.Microbial Identification with ID CardsThe...
01:14Scale-Up Processes
The scale-up of microbial fermentation processes is essential in industrial biotechnology, allowing the transition from laboratory-scale experiments to commercial-scale production while aiming to maintain product yield and quality. This process requires meticulous adjustment of equipment design, process parameters, and contamination control strategies to accommodate increasing culture volumes.At the laboratory scale, cultures are typically maintained in 1 to 10-liter glass or autoclavable...