[The added value of additional testing during the sterilization process].

The records of the sterilization processes of 2 practices from the period 2012-2019 were analysed. The study evaluated whether sterilization processes with an additional steam penetration test gave a complete colour change. A total of 13,923 sterilization runs were evaluated. Reasons for unsuccessful sterilization runs were damp instruments (35%) or an error message on the sterilization apparatus display (35%). Of the 635 sterilization runs with the additional TST strip a complete colour change was observed in all cases. Of the 250 sterilization runs using an additional Helix Test, an incomplete colour change was observed in 2 cases. Based on this retrospective analysis, carrying out an additional test (TST strip or Helix Test) on a weekly basis did not appear to contribute to the detection of irregularities. Visual evaluation and checking the display following the sterilization process did do so.