Day 11 : How autoclave tape works as indicator?

An complete autoclave (steam sterilization) cycle requires to reach the temperature of at least 121'C for 15 min.

There are three types of autoclave indicators:

1. Physical indicator: 
Use of Thermocouple. It will put into the machine.

2. Chemical indicators : 
They change colors from beige to tan or brown to black. There are two types of chemical indicators :

a) Temperature sensitive tape (also called as autoclave tape) 
- Only provide information whether the items have passed through the autoclave cycle, but it is not time related.

b) Integrated chemical indicator strips.
- The colors of the strips will change only after have passed a certain time and temperature. However, it is not as accurate as Biological Indicator.

3. Biological Indicator
- Use of G. stearothermophilus spores. They are the most resistant organism to steam autoclaving. It is a standard method of validating the effectiveness of the autoclave procedures.

Reference:
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/Autoclave-Indicators-Tape-How-do-3759086.S.201336294
http://riskmanagement.ubc.ca/sites/riskmanagement.ubc.ca/files/uploads/Documents/AUTOCLAVE%20EFFICACY%20TESTING%20PROCEDURE_0.pdf