Which method is used to check the effectiveness of a sterilizer?

Biological indicators are considered the gold standard for checking the effectiveness of a sterilizer. They typically consist of a specific type of microorganism that is highly resistant to the sterilization process being used. By placing these indicators in the sterilizer during a cycle and subsequently culturing them post-exposure, one can determine whether the sterilization process was successful. If the microorganism is killed, it indicates that the sterilization conditions were adequate to ensure that all potential pathogens have been eliminated.

While chemical indicators can provide useful information regarding exposure to certain sterilization conditions (like temperature or presence of sterilant), they do not directly confirm the killing of microorganisms. Visual inspections can help identify physical conditions or issues with the sterilizer but do not provide data on microbial kill. Temperature readings can indicate if the sterilizer is operating at the right conditions but again, do not confirm whether microorganisms have been effectively eradicated.

Thus, biological indicators offer a definitive confirmation of the sterilization process's effectiveness, making them the preferred method for this purpose.