New AAMI Guidelines

The Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, known as AAMI, develops standards, recommends practices and develops technical reports for medical devices. Although the AAMI updates most standards in a multiyear cycle, it updates the standards for steam sterilization continuously.

Standards for Hospitals

• Sterilization Part 1 provides 11 documents, including an amendment to AAMI's guide to steam sterilization, ST79. The amendment includes new guidance on sterilization process failure and a checklist for analyzing the causes of such failure.

Standards for Manufacturers

• Sterilization Part 2 provides 23 documents, including two new standards. One of the new standards describes general requirements and tests for washer-disinfectors. The other new standard focuses on understanding biological indicators in the sterilization process.

Effects

• AAMI standards represent a national consensus that provides guidelines for the medical industry. The American National Standards Institute often adopts AAMI guidelines as standards.

Significance

• The AAMI standards for steam sterilization focus on preventing improper sterilization procedures, including improper temperatures, inappropriate cleaning instruments and contamination by environmental factors.

Further Information

• You can purchase the complete text of each AAMI standard online (see Resources) or by calling 877-249-8226.