Weekly spore test calendar for 2027

• Test each sterilizer at least weekly with a biological indicator and a matching control, meaning the biological indicator and the control come from the same lot number (CDC, 2003 dental infection-control guidelines).

  “Monitor sterilizers at least weekly by using a biological indicator with a matching control (i.e., biological indicator and control from same lot number)”

  CDC, 2003 dental infection-control guidelines, Recommendation VI.F.6 · row C03-1

  “A spore test should be used at least weekly to monitor sterilizers.”

  CDC, 2016 summary of infection prevention practices · row SUM-1

  “A biologic indicator (i.e., spore test) is used at least weekly and with every load containing implantable items”

  CDC infection prevention checklist for dental settings · row CHK-1

• Put a biological indicator in every sterilizer load that contains an implantable device, and verify the results before the implantable device is used, whenever possible (CDC, 2003 dental infection-control guidelines).

  “Use a biological indicator for every sterilizer load that contains an implantable device. Verify results before using the implantable device, whenever possible”

  CDC, 2003 dental infection-control guidelines, Recommendation VI.F.7 · row C03-3

• In Florida, steam under pressure (e.g. autoclave) and chemical vapor sterilizers must have their efficacy verified by appropriate biological monitoring at least once every 40 hours (2,400 minutes) of use or at least once every thirty days, whichever comes first (Florida rule 64B5-25.003).

  “Adequacy of steam under pressure (e.g. autoclave) or chemical vapor sterilization must have their efficacy verified by appropriate biological monitoring at least once every 40 hours (2400 minutes) of use or at least once every thirty days, whichever comes first.”

  Florida rule 64B5-25.003(9) · row FL-1

• In Florida, dry heat and ethylene oxide sterilizers must have their efficacy verified with appropriate biological monitoring every 120 hours of operation at sterilization parameters or every thirty days, whichever comes first (Florida rule 64B5-25.003).

  Use time is determined by multiplying the number of cycles by the individual cycle time (Florida rule 64B5-25.003).

  “Dry heat and ethylene oxide sterilizers must have their efficacy verified with appropriate biological monitoring every 120 hours of operation at sterilization parameters or every thirty days, whichever comes first. (Use time is determined by multiplying the number of cycles by the individual cycle time.)”

  Florida rule 64B5-25.003(9) · row FL-2

The sources on this page do not agree on one schedule: CDC's recommendation is at least weekly (CDC, 2003 dental infection-control guidelines; CDC, 2016 summary of infection prevention practices), and Florida's rule counts hours of use and days instead (Florida rule 64B5-25.003).

This calendar, and Dental Logbook, mark a test due at the earliest of the limits, so one sheet answers both schedules. That choice of “earliest” is ours; no source quoted here asks for a calendar at all.

What the quoted sources do not say

• They do not say which weekday a test must fall on. The boxes on these sheets are numbered weeks, Monday to Sunday; the office chooses the day.
• They do not say what a calendar should look like. The layout, the columns and the box sizes are this page's design.
• The Florida rows quoted here do not mention implant loads. The implant box on both sheets follows CDC's recommendation (CDC, 2003 dental infection-control guidelines).
• They do not say how long to keep the filled sheets. This page sets no retention period.

1. 01

   One sheet per sterilizer

   Write the office name, the sterilizer's label and the year at the top. Print a second set for each extra sterilizer.

2. 02

   Fill the week's box after each test

   Date tested, the BI product and its lot, the control from the same lot with its result, the result, and your initials.

3. 03

   Record implant loads in the same week

   Every load that contains an implantable device gets its own biological indicator (CDC, 2003 dental infection-control guidelines). Write those tests in the implant box of that week's row.

4. 04

   In Florida, keep the count too

   Add the week's cycles and cycle time, then the use-minutes this week, the use-minutes since the last test, and the days since the last test. A test is due at the earliest limit.