Steris challenge pack

[Sheri]

Is there anyone using the Steris challenge pack daily instead of a BI??
I am considering using them on a daily basis and running a BI once or twice a week. We used to run a BI with every load, but now do it once a day.
My sales rep says alot of hospitals have gone to this and I was just wondering how it was working out.

Thanks!!

Sheri:)

[debbie]

Remember that even if you use the challenge pack if you get a positive BI you must reacall all loads back to the last negative BI. This means you would have to recall a weeks worth of processed items. Most of us chose not to do this. What I have heard is that some people will actually use the challenge test once a month form monitoring but I have not heard of anyone replacing there daily BI with this product.

[annam]

keep using the BI AT LEAST once a day , and always with implantables!!!

[sonny1388]

I agree with annam. My understanding is that the companies that are trying to compete with 3M's rapid readout BI are making Class 5 integrators like that in the Steris Challenge, and saying that it measures all of the parameters necessary for sterilization, and have even tried to get them approved as a replacement for BI's. However, they have not yet been approved, so it would still be necessary to recall all items ran since the last negative BI. Worse, depending on your hospital's policy, you may have to inform every patient who had one of those items used on them that it may not have been sterile.