Sterilization control products are essential tools for maintaining the sterility of medical and laboratory equipment. These products are designed to verify that the sterilization process has been effective, ensuring that the equipment is safe to use and free from harmful microorganisms.

One of the most commonly used sterilization control products is a biological indicator. This is a device that contains a known number of microorganisms, such as spores of the bacterium Bacillus stearothermophilus. The biological indicator is placed inside the sterilization chamber alongside the items to be sterilized. After the sterilization cycle is complete, the biological indicator is removed and incubated. If the microorganisms inside the indicator have been killed, this confirms that the sterilization process has been effective.

Chemical indicators are another type of sterilization control product. These are designed to provide a visual indication that the sterilization process has been completed. Chemical indicators can take many forms, including tapes, labels, and strips. The indicator changes color or undergoes a chemical reaction when exposed to specific conditions, such as heat, pressure, or steam. This provides a simple and immediate way to verify that the equipment has been sterilized.

Sterilization control products are also available for use with other sterilization methods, such as ethylene oxide and hydrogen peroxide. These products are specifically designed to monitor the effectiveness of these sterilization methods and provide a reliable indication of whether the process has been successful.