What is the primary purpose of using a biological indicator in sterilization?

The primary purpose of using a biological indicator in sterilization is to assess the effectiveness of the sterilization process. Biological indicators contain live microorganisms that are resistant to the sterilization method being used, such as steam, ethylene oxide, or hydrogen peroxide. By placing a biological indicator in the sterilization load and processing it along with the instruments, it is possible to determine whether the sterilization parameters were sufficient to kill those resistant organisms.

If the biological indicator shows no growth of microorganisms after incubation, it confirms that the sterilization process was effective in eliminating viable contaminants from the instruments. This is crucial for patient safety, as it ensures that any surgical or clinical instruments that will come into contact with patients are properly sterilized and free of pathogenic organisms.

Using biological indicators is a widely accepted standard in infection control practices, as they offer a direct way to validate the efficacy of the sterilization process, which is critical in healthcare settings.