Bowie Dick Test Pack

Description

A Bowie-Dick test is used in pre-vacuum type (or dynamic air removal) sterilizers. Suitable for testing the air exhaust effect of pre-vacuum pressure steam sterilizer.

Usage:

The test pack should be placed horizontally in the front, bottom section of the sterilizer rack, near the door and over the drain, in an otherwise empty chamber and run at 134°C for 3.5 minutes. The test is used each day the vacuum-type steam sterilizer is used, before the first processed load.

How to read results:

After successful removal of air, the yellow indicator strips should turn to dark brown/black colour fully. If air is not fully removed, the indicator strip will have slight yellow colour in the strip indicator. Air that is not removed from the chamber will interfere with steam contact.

They should be representative of the load and simulate the greatest challenge to the load. Sterilizer vacuum performance is acceptable if the sheet inside the test pack shows a uniform color change. Entrapped air will cause a spot to appear on the test sheet, due to the inability of the steam to reach the chemical indicator.