Connecting Across Competencies: Leveraging Best Practices for Processing.

The AAMI working group ST/WG 93 is finalizing a standard (AAMI ST98) for the cleaning validation of reusable medical devices based on guidance from the technical information report AAMI TIR30:2011/(R)2016. A number of analytical best practices are being considered for this new standard. Test method suitability for processing cleaning validations historically has been established using one positive control and performing an extraction efficiency. The new cleaning validation standard is proposed to require a change from only one replicate test sample to three when performing method suitability. This change will affect manufacturers; therefore, the value of and consideration for performing these additional replicates requires explanation. This article discusses how variation of validation parameters can affect the accuracy and precision during method suitability testing. Multiple replicates are needed to understand the variability of method extraction and impact on cleaning validations of reusable medical devices.