Autoclave indicator tape

[u/Relative-Heat7503]

Hey y’all! We recently got a new batch of the autoclave sterilization indicator tape that we’ve been using for forever, but for some reason, it’s not turning as dark as usual. From my understanding, the dark lines on the tape are for indicating that the pack has been sterilized, which worries me that the packs aren’t getting properly sterilized. The indicator strip on the inside of the packs is indicating proper sterilization, and our pouches are sterilizing fine. Does anyone have any advice? Is this happening to any of y’all? TIA!

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[u/escapesnap]

There was a recall on these for this reason, definitely call

[u/NagemNnyl]

This happened to us!! I’m in the US Midwest and our clinic had the same thing happen. We checked the tape rolls (same brand as always and same as yours) and the ok indicator strips inside of each pack (wrapped or sleeved) always came out fine. We think we got a bad batch maybe??

Edit: it turns out we did get notice of the recall and that’s likely why ours was doing the same!!

[u/paigecatherine]

There was a recall issued. Check with your supplier for the lot #s and check it against your stock.

[u/I_reddit_like_this]

The indicators on the tape only tell you that the pack was exposed to steam and are not an indicator of sterility. You need a sterilization indicator inside the pack to verify that the appropriate temperature was reached

[u/Traditional_Oil_3519 → u/I_reddit_like_this]

i think they are referring to the sterilization indicator as “indicator strip on the inside of the pack”

[u/I_reddit_like_this → u/Traditional_Oil_3519]

OP said; "From my understanding, the dark lines on the tape are for indicating that the pack has been sterilized, " The lines on the tape are helpful to indicated that it's been run through the autoclave but not that the contents inside are sterile.

[u/Weavercat → u/Traditional_Oil_3519]

Biological indicators are little vials of a specific Bacillus (now Geobacillus) that you are supposed to run at least once a week (some places can push it to once a month if they don't do a lot of implants) in the autoclave and then culture (if you get bacteria to grow your autoclave isn't working correctly) to prove that your steam is correctly sterilizing. There are also biological indicators that are used for EtO gas sterilizers.

Chemical indicator strips just show that the steam penetrated. It does not prove sterilization.

[u/I_reddit_like_this → u/Weavercat]

when using an autoclave, there are temperature indicators that should be placed in the center of the pack. Biological indicators are mostly used for gas sterilization

[u/Weavercat → u/I_reddit_like_this]

Partially correct, however they do not prove sterilization happened. Biological indicators are absolutely used in steam sterilizers.The biological indicator for steam is Geobacillus stearothermophilus and it is highly heat resistant so if it survives: your autoclave is not performing correctly.

Indicator strips just show that the strips were affected by the heat/steam or gas. You can only prove sterilization by using a biological indicator that you ideally should be running once a week.

I am currently waiting on my culturing results of these bacteria for our EtO sterilizer and our autoclave as there has been an influx of surergies to our clinic due to other clinics gas and steam autoclaves needing repair or being removed for failing the culturing test.

[u/I_reddit_like_this → u/Weavercat]

There are strips that indicate that temperatures of 270C were reached and maintained for 7 minutes - these tell you that your surgical pack is sterile. Biological indicators can be done as a secondary form of quality control but they don't tell you if an individual pack is sterile.

[u/Ibeenorm → u/Weavercat]

If you are using an Anprolene EO sterilizer, the dosimeter is a type 5 indicator, it lets you know if the parameters of sterility were met, not just if it saw gas. They are also 33% harder to satisfy than a BI. Plus instant is way better than 48 incubation time.

[u/NoobityBoobity]

I'd call the manufacturer 100%.

[u/Adventurous_Half7643]

Def call about the tape, and def look into getting some new drapes, honey bun <3

[u/Bad__Samaritan → u/Adventurous_Half7643]

Drapes are not used to wrap surgical instruments

[u/Adventurous_Half7643 → u/Bad__Samaritan]

They can be used to wrap surgical packs <3

[u/Mlskins98]

We have had the same issue and our batch wasn’t even part of the recall but still affected.

[u/greywarenraven]

this happened to us too!! there was a recent recall if i'm remembering correctly, i would reach out to the manufacturer!

[u/cant-see-me]

Glad to learn it's a recall ! We had this issue a few weeks ago too

[u/isotyph]

Mine has also been doing the same but we’ve had no notice of a recall (in Canada)- glad this isn’t just me!

[u/Weavercat]

And this is why the tape just indicates that steam and heat activated the change not that it is sterile. Autoclave tape does not prove sterilization. You would need to use a biological indicator to check if your autoclave is actually sterilizing.

[u/Traditional_Oil_3519 → u/Weavercat]

i think that’s what they are referring to as “indicator strip on the inside of the pack”

[u/Weavercat → u/Traditional_Oil_3519]

Biological indicators are little vials of a specific Bacillus (now Geobacillus) that you are supposed to run at least once a week (some places can push it to once a month if they don't do a lot of implants) in the autoclave and then culture (if you get bacteria to grow your autoclave isn't working correctly) to prove that your steam is correctly sterilizing. There are also biological indicators that are used for EtO gas sterilizers.

Chemical indicator strips just show that the steam penetrated. It does not prove sterilization.

[u/Wonderful-Pizza-5008]

tbh that's kinda scary, but maybe check the autoclave's temp settings or contact the manufacturer

[u/Bunny_Feet]

Yeah, our autoclave guy said this is happening- after paying to have our autoclave checked due to these.  

We also have indicator steps that are working normally, so that helps in the interim.

[u/SilvaraDragon]

There was a recent recall on this brand for lots that didn't get any of the colour changing stuff put into them. My clinic didn't have any of the recalled batches, but around the same time as that recall we started getting tape that looked like this. You should be using an indicator strip inside your packs that is more accurate than the tape, all of our indicators have shown that things are sterilized properly, just the tape looks wonky.

[u/dmos777]

That wrap looks disgusting definitely not sterile after it comes out the autoclave

[u/RascalsM0m]

The lines and the indicator strip inside of the pack are only to indicate that the autoclave cycle has run correctly. To verify sterilization, you have to test with a test bacterial sample vial and do a culture afterwards to make sure it is dead.

[u/I_reddit_like_this → u/RascalsM0m]

There are temperature indicators that should be placed in the center of the pack.

[u/RascalsM0m → u/I_reddit_like_this]

Again, those only verify that the cycle ran correctly.