3M Equipment Control products reveal if the sterilizer is operating to set conditions of time, temperature, pressure, air removal, moisture conditioning and sterilant exposure. These products include:
3M™ Electronic Test System
The 3M™ Electronic Test System (ETS) provides an alternative to the traditional Bowie Dick test packs and its derivates. It also performs a number of additional valuable functions and is a world first and a vital step forward for sterilization assurance programmes.
In an independent study (Benoit, F et al, Zentral Sterilisation (central service), 3, 180-184, 2011) ) comparing 4 electronic test devices, the 3M ETS was found to be the only device which was 100% accurate, and therefore the only device that fulfilled the requirements for the performance of alternative Bowie and Dick test devices as specified in ISO11140 part 4.
For more, read the full article or watch a video demonstration of the ETS
3M™ Comply™ Disposable Bowie & Dick Test Pack
Bowie-Dick type test packs detect air leaks, inadequate air removal and steam penetration for vacuum-steam sterilizers. Compact, efficient and easy to use test packs compliant to BSEN 11140 part 4 and third party certified by BSI (kite marked).
Exposure
3M Exposure Control products help to distinguish between processed and unprocessed medical devices at a glance. They assure the sterilizer operator that each pack or item has been exposed to the sterilization process, without the need to open the pack.
3M™ Comply™ Dry-Heat Indicator Tape
This chemical indicator tape is designed for use as packaging tape and for the immediate identification of items exposed to dry heat processing.
3M™ Comply™ Ethylene Oxide Indicator Tape
An indicator tape designed to facilitate the immediate identification of items exposed to an EO sterilization process, and for packaging purposes.
3M™ Comply™ Lead-Free Steam Indicator Tapes
3M™ Comply™ Tapes have been the chemical indicators of choice for steam autoclaves for over 25 years, and is now lead-free.
3M™ Comply™ Indicator Labels
These labels allow verification that products have been processed. The pressure sensitive adhesive allows easy removal after processing. Especially suitable for hard surface items.
Load
Load Control is the process by which a load is monitored and released based on the result of a biological or chemical indicator in a test pack or process challenge device. 3M has a full line of steam and EO biological indicators with results in as little as one hour, and chemical indicators of class 4, 5 and 6, providing instantaneous, unambiguous results.
3M™ Attest™ Biological Monitoring Indicators and Pre-set Incubators
Biological indicators which are easy to use and give a clear colour change results within 24 to 48 hours of processing.
3M™ Attest™ Rapid Readout Biological Indicator Monitoring System
The 3M™ Attest™ Rapid Readout Biological Indicator Monitoring System consists of biological indicators, that provide clear, easy to interpret biological results in just 1 - 4 hours.
Pack
Pack control involves the use of chemical indicators for internal monitoring of packs, trays, containers and peel pouches. The appropriate product from 3M’s range of chemical indicators is placed inside each pack and immediately identifies whether the conditions for sterilization have been met.
3M™ Comply™ Colour Change Chemical Indicators
Indicator strips that offer an accurate and consistent method of monitoring the sterilization process. These sterilization monitors utilise chemical coatings on the indicators which are formulated to change colour only after exposure to certain specific conditions in the sterilization cycle.
3M™ Comply™ SteriGage™ Chemical Indicators
Moving front indicators are more sophisticated than traditional indicators because their performance is based on a physical and chemical colour change. An additional advantage with moving front indicators is their unambiguous readout that requires minimal interpretation. As the sterilization process progresses, the indicator readout develops as a dark coloured band, migrating along the strip, stopping before the Reject line or progressing into the Accept area.
The indicators are Class 5 according to BS EN ISO 11140-1.
3M™ Comply™ Steam-Clox™ Chemical Indicators
Sequential response indicators react sequentially to the parameters of sterilization, providing both a specific time/temperature reaction and also an evaluation of the sterilant.
These indicators are Class 4 according to BS EN ISO 11140-1.
The final touch to a complete sterilization process monitoring system is Record Keeping. It documents the materials that have been processed and their monitoring control evidence. The system enables you to keep track of the process using record keeping envelopes, forms and labels. If you've ever run into a recall situation that forced you to investigate the source of the problem, you know how valuable this can be.
3M™ Comply™ Printing Applicator and Load Label System
A durable, lightweight applicator that is easy to load, and prints labels directly where needed.
3M™ Comply™ Record Keeping Equipment
Used to document sterilization process information without unnecessary form filling, and still facilitate load recall.
Protein Testing
The 3M™ Clean-Trace™ Protein Test is simple and effective to use, detecting whether protein has been left behind on surfaces after inadequate cleaning. It indicates whether a medical device has been cleaned to the standard required by HTM 2030 and BS EN ISO 15883.
An Introduction to the 3M™ Clean-Trace™ Protein test:
