How often should a sterilizer be tested with a biological indicator?

Testing a sterilizer with a biological indicator is essential to ensure that the sterilization process is effective and reliable. Performing this test at least once a week, or following the specific guidelines set by the facility's policy, is crucial because it provides a routine verification of the sterilization equipment's performance.

This frequency helps in identifying any potential issues with the sterilization process before they become problematic, ensuring patient safety and compliance with regulatory standards. Regular testing facilitates the monitoring of the sterilizer’s performance, confirming that the conditions within the sterilizer are adequate to kill viable microorganisms consistently.

While daily testing may sound thorough, it may not be practical for all facilities, and weekly testing strikes a balance between safety and operational efficiency. Other options, such as testing only in the event of a failure or once a month, do not provide enough assurance that the sterilizer is functioning correctly at all times. Therefore, the guideline of testing weekly, or as the facility policy dictates, is the most scientifically supported and widely accepted practice.