3M™ Attest™ Rapid Readout Biological Indicators for 270°F/132°C Gravity Steam Sterilizers

A rapid readout biological indicator that monitors the effectiveness of the steam sterilization process with results in one hour. System consists of biological indicators, auto-reader and log book.

Biological indicators provide the best assurance of sterility by challenging the sterilizer with quantifiable, highly resistant Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores. The system includes rapid readout biological indicators, auto-readers and recordkeeping. Biological indicators are used for load control monitoring which is the process by which a load is monitored and released based on the result of a biological indicator (BI).

3M™ Attest™ 1291 Rapid Readout Biological Indicators for 270°F/132°C gravity steam cycles

Self-contained BI for 270°F/132°C gravity steam cycles consisting of a Geobacillus stearothermophilus spore strip; sealed glass ampule with growth medium and dual indicator system; blue color-coded cap with holes for sterilant penetration and a hydrophobic filter as a bacterial barrier; and a chemical indicator on the label that changes from rose to brown when processed. After sterilization, the vial is "crushed" to join the growth media with the processed spore strip. The BI is incubated for 1 hour in the 3M™ Attest™ 290 series auto-reader for a fluorescent reading. A red light indicates a positive result or sterilization failure.

3M™ Attest™ 290 Series Auto-reader

Dual function fluorescent reader/incubator for use with Attest rapid readout steam biological indicators. The incubator runs at 140°F/60°C. The BI is crushed in the crusher well, transferred to the incubation wells for 1 hour, where automatic readings are taken until a red or green light goes on. In addition, a positive control (unprocessed BI) from the same lot and manufacturing date must be incubated daily.