Biological indicators, or spore tests, are the most accepted method for monitoring the sterilisation process. A biological indicator (BI) test monitors the killing of a large population of resistant microorganisms and provides assurance to a dental practice that their sterilisation cycle parameters have been met.
BI testing of sterilisers in dental offices can take 24 hours or more for results to be obtained.
During that wait time, a malfunctioning steriliser could be used to process instruments used on patients. With the
3M™ Attest™ Mini Auto-reader, sterilisation monitoring results are available in just 24 minutes. Dental teams no longer need to have extensive wait times to confirm test results.
The small, easy-to-use device is designed to incubate, read and interpret the results in just 24 minutes. An Attest™ BI contains bacterial spores that are resistant to the sterilisation process being monitored. If the sterilisation process is effective, the spores should be killed, resulting in a negative test result.
The 3M Attest™ Mini Auto-reader works by using fluorescent technology to detect the presence or absence of bacterial growth in the test. After the test is performed, it is loaded into the auto-reader and incubated. Each BI vial contains a fluorescent marker. If there is bacterial growth in the BI, the fluorescent marker will be activated and produce fluorescence.
The Auto-reader then interprets the fluorescence signal and provides a clear result of either “positive” or “negative” for the test. This automated process helps to reduce the risk of human error and provides a more accurate, reliable and fast interpretation of test results.
Another great feature of the 3M Attest™ Mini Autoreader is the App. The 3M Attest™ ‘Connect App’ is a mobile application that is designed to work with the 3M Attest™ Mini Auto-reader.
The app allows users to wirelessly connect their mobile devices to the Auto-reader, providing real-time monitoring and tracking of sterilisation processes.
The app allows users to monitor the progress of sterilisation cycles, providing alerts when cycles are complete or if there are any issues during the cycle. It will send notifications to users when new test results are available, allowing them to quickly respond to any issues that may arise.
The app records all test results and cycle information, allowing users to track the performance of their sterilisation processes over time. This data can be used to identify trends, track compliance with regulatory requirements, and help ensure patient safety.
Overall, the 3M Attest™ Connect app helps dental offices improve the efficiency and accuracy of their sterilisation processes by providing real-time monitoring, record-keeping, and remote access to sterilisation data.
Article Published Jul-Sep 2023 Dental Solutions