Description
Once-a-Day® Bowie-Dick Test Sheets are essential for daily performance monitoring of pre-vacuum steam sterilizers. These test sheets actively challenge the sterilizer’s air removal system, which is fundamental for effective steam penetration and successful sterilization.
Apply Daily for Consistent Results
Always use Once-a-Day® Bowie-Dick Test Sheets at the start of each operational day. Also, test the sterilizer after any maintenance, repairs, or other interventions that could affect its function. This proactive approach ensures you verify the sterilizer’s air evacuation capabilities before processing medical devices, reducing the risk of sterilization failures from retained air.
Design Meets Industry Standards
We specifically design these test sheets for integration within a standard Bowie-Dick towel pack, as specified by the ANSI/AAMI ST79 standard. This adherence to recognized industry standards ensures consistent and reproducible test conditions. In doing so, the design helps you detect air pockets within the sterilization chamber, which prevents steam from reaching instrument surfaces.
Interpret Results Clearly
During a sterilization cycle at 270°F-276°F (132°C-136°C), the reactive chemical indicator ink on the test sheet undergoes a distinct, irreversible color transformation from white to black. A uniform color change across the entire test sheet indicates successful air removal from the chamber and adequate steam penetration. In contrast, a non-uniform color change or the presence of residual white areas signals a sterilizer malfunction, most commonly due to incomplete air evacuation. This outcome demands immediate investigation, corrective action, and retesting before you return the sterilizer to service for processing patient-care items. Consistent Bowie-Dick testing is a cornerstone of quality assurance in sterile processing departments.
Features and Benefits:
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- Designed for use in pre-vacuum steam sterilizers operating at 270°F-276°F.
- These are 9 x 12 inch Bowie-Dick Test Sheets.
- They detect air leaks and verify the sterilizer’s effective air removal from the sterilization chamber.
- Keep the indicator sheet as proof of testing.
- Upon proper processing, the sheets show a distinct white-to-black color change.
Once-A-Day® Bowie-Dick Test Sheets
SKU: 26600500
50 Test Sheets per Box
Once-A-Day® Ecos™ Bowie-Dick Test
Offers a compact, eco-friendly, and lead-free method for performing daily sterilizer efficacy testing.
Once-A-Day® Bowie-Dick Test Pak™ Bowie-Dick Test
A conventional, pre-assembled, and disposable Bowie-Dick test for performing daily sterilizer efficacy testing.
Check out this article for some tips on using Bowie-Dick Test Packs.
