3M © 2003 78-8078-8977-5 Page 6 of 9 Attest 290 Auto-reader
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
Positive Control
Crush, tap and incubate at least one non-processed
Attest
1291 or 1292 RRBI to use as the positive
control each day that a processed RRBI is incubated
and read by the unit. Write a “C” (for “control”) and
the date on the label. The positive control can be
placed in any incubator well of the unit. The
positive control should be the same part number,
from the same manufacturing date and lot number
as the processed RRBI in the unit.
It is good practice to use a positive control each day
a sterilized RRBI is processed. This helps ensure:
- correct incubation temperatures are met.
- viability of spores has not been altered due to
improper storage temperature, humidity, or
proximity to chemicals
- capability of media to promote rapid growth,
and
- proper functioning of Attest 290 Auto-reader
components.
Interpretation of Results
Each incubation/reader well has three corresponding
indicator lights: a red (+), yellow (•) and green (-)
light. After placing a RRBI into a corresponding
color-coded well, a yellow light will illuminate to
indicate that incubation/reading is in progress.
A red light (+), will illuminate and an alarm will
sound (if the sound feature is turned on), as soon as
a positive RRBI result is detected.
At the end of the specified incubation time, if a
negative RRBI result is detected, the green light (-)
will illuminate indicating an acceptable sterilization
process.
After either the green or red light comes on, the
RRBI can be removed from the well. The RRBI
should not be removed or touched when the yellow
light is on.
The positive (unprocessed) control RRBI must
provide a positive fluorescent result (red light +).
Processed RRBI results are not valid until the
positive control reads fluorescent positive (red light
+). With the processed RRBI, a positive (red light
+) result means a sterilization process failure may
have occurred.
The final negative processed RRBI reading for a
fluorescence change (green light -) after 1 hour
(1291) or 3 hours (1292) indicates an acceptable
sterilization process. The positive control should
read positive (red light +).
If the processed RRBI is further incubated for a
visual pH color change, when special studies are
desired, the media color change from purple to
yellow will also indicate a sterilization failure. The
positive control should show a yellow color change
at 24 hours (1291) or 48 hours (1292). A final
negative color change result (no color change),
media remains purple , is made at 24 hours (1291)
or 48 hours (1292).
Act on any positive result immediately. The positive
result indicates a sterilization process failure may
have occurred. Determine the cause of the positive
RRBI following current facility policies and
procedures. Always retest the sterilizer and do not
use the sterilizer for processing loads until 3
consecutive RRBI results are negative.
Disposal
Dispose of the used Attest RRBI according to your
healthcare facility policy.
You may wish to sterilize any positive RRBI prior
to disposal.