Question: The end of the incubation period for my biological indicators falls on the weekend. Can I skip that reading and score the units on the next business day?
Answer: The Certificate of Analysis for each biological indicator (BI) product will note the incubation temperature and time requirements. The noted incubation time should be considered the minimum amount of incubation necessary to obtain reliable results. Incubation of BIs in excess of the minimum required time does not have any detrimental effect on the product performance.
Should extended incubation be necessary, one should note the following recommendations:
- If possible, observe the BIs frequently throughout the incubation period. Should a growth-positive unit be observed, the data should be recorded and the positive unit removed from test. Only negative test units need remain in the incubator for the entire incubation period. Frequent observation allows a facility to react to a positive test unit without undue delay.
- If the incubator used is a convection type (fan or blower circulates the air) one may encounter evaporation of the growth media during the extended incubation (only applicable to EZTest Gas and Steam). Evaporation can be avoided by placing a piece of clear tape or parafilm over the hole(s) in the cap of the EZTest BI immediately following activation (crushing the media ampoule) and prior to incubation. Such precautions are not necessary when BIs will be incubated only for the time specified on the Certificate of Analysis.
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