During a sterilization cycle, at what point is the Bowie Dick test performed?

The Bowie Dick test is a vital procedure used to assess the effectiveness of a steam sterilization cycle in a dynamic air removal steam sterilizer. It is specifically designed to monitor the air removal capability and ensure steam penetration into the packages being sterilized.

Performing the test at the end of the sterilization cycle allows for the evaluation of the conditions that were present during the cycle, including the ability of steam to replace air within the sterilizer, which is crucial for proper sterilization. The results from the test provide immediate feedback on whether the sterilizer is functioning properly. If the test fails, it indicates that air might still be present in the chamber, which could prevent adequate sterilization of instruments.

Conducting the Bowie Dick test at any other point, such as before the cycle starts or during other phases like cool-down or drying, would not give an accurate assessment of the sterilization efficacy because those tests would be unaffected by the conditions that occur during the active sterilization process.