Lab Services - AAMI ST108 Compliance Testing
AAMI ST108 Testing & Compliance Solutions
AAMI ST108 is a vital standard developed by the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI), focusing on the quality of water used in the reprocessing of medical devices. This standard ensures that medical devices are cleaned, disinfected, and sterilized effectively to protect patient safety. At Hydrocare, we specialize in helping healthcare facilities comply with AAMI ST108 through comprehensive water and steam quality testing services.
Why is AAMI ST108 Important?
The quality of water used in medical device reprocessing directly impacts the safety and functionality of the devices. AAMI ST108 outlines the acceptable levels of microbial, chemical, and endotoxin contaminants to ensure water purity at every stage of device processing— from cleaning to sterilization.
Hydrocare’s AAMI ST108 water testing services help healthcare facilities meet these strict standards, ensuring that water used in patient care, equipment cleaning, and sterilization processes is safe and compliant.
Our AAMI ST108 Testing Services
Hydrocare offers a range of specialized testing solutions to meet AAMI ST108 requirements, ensuring your facility remains compliant and safe for patient care.
Utility Water Testing:
Utility water is essential in non-sterile applications, such as equipment cleaning. Hydrocare tests for chemical and microbial contaminants in utility water, ensuring hygiene standards are met to prevent equipment contamination and ensure operational safety.
Critical Water Testing:
Critical water is used for direct patient care and device reprocessing, where purity is crucial. Hydrocare tests for microbial, chemical, and endotoxin contamination, ensuring that critical water meets the strict standards of AAMI ST108 to protect both patients and medical equipment.
Steam Quality Testing:
Sterilization processes rely on high-quality steam. Hydrocare’s steam testing assesses the purity, moisture content, and gas levels of the steam used for sterilization, ensuring it is effective and prevents compromised instruments in patient care.
AAMI ST108 Compliance Testing Requirements
To meet AAMI ST108 standards, healthcare facilities must perform regular testing and monitoring of their water systems. Hydrocare provides the following essential testing services to ensure compliance:
- Microbial Testing: Tests for bacterial contamination, including heterotrophic plate counts (HPC) and endotoxins, ensuring water is free of harmful microbes.
- Chemical Testing: Analysis of total organic carbon (TOC), conductivity, pH, chlorine, and other chemicals that could damage devices or interfere with sterilization.
- Endotoxin Testing: Ensures water used in sterilization processes for critical devices is free of harmful endotoxins, preventing infection risks for patients.
- Ongoing Monitoring & Periodic Testing: Regular testing of water systems to maintain compliance and ensure consistent safety in medical device reprocessing.
Why Choose Hydrocare?
At Hydrocare, we understand that water quality is critical to safe medical device processing. We provide tailored solutions that help healthcare facilities of all sizes meet AAMI ST108 standards with ease.
Rapid Results:
Our fast, efficient testing process ensures that your facility remains compliant with minimal disruption to operations.
Comprehensive Reporting:
We provide detailed reports that clearly outline test results, compliance status, and actionable recommendations for improvement. Our reports are designed to be easy to understand, ensuring your team knows exactly what steps to take.
Tailored Solutions:
From small clinics to large hospitals, Hydrocare develops customized testing strategies that meet the specific needs of your facility. Whether you need a one-time test or an ongoing compliance program, we’ve got you covered.
Advanced Testing Technology
Hydrocare uses the latest testing technology to ensure accurate, efficient analysis of water quality. Our methodologies adhere to the highest standards, delivering precise results that guarantee compliance with AAMI ST108.
Hydrocare’s Testing Process
Hydrocare follows a streamlined process designed to make compliance as simple and effective as possible.
- Initial Consultation
We begin with a consultation to understand your facility’s water usage and regulatory needs. We’ll work with you to determine the scope and frequency of testing required to stay compliant with AAMI ST108.Â
- Sampling
Our team collects water and steam samples from key points throughout your facility, ensuring a thorough evaluation of your water systems. All samples are handled with strict protocols to maintain their integrity.Â
- Analysis
Using advanced laboratory technology, Hydrocare analyzes the samples for chemical, microbial, and endotoxin contaminants, ensuring that all testing meets AAMI ST108 standards.Â
- Results & Reporting
After the analysis, we provide comprehensive reports with clear findings, compliance status, and recommendations for corrective actions where necessary. Our reports are detailed yet easy to understand, allowing you to take action quickly.Â
- Ongoing Support
Hydrocare provides continuous support to help implement any needed improvements and maintain long-term compliance. We’re always available to guide you through water quality management and re-testing as required.
Comprehensive Testing
Hydrocare offers all the tests necessary for monitoring and maintaining AAMI ST108 compliance.
| Water Quality Measurement | Units | Utility Water | Critical Water | Steam* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| pH @ 25°C | pH | 6.5 - 9.5 | 5.0 - 7.5 | 5.0 - 9.2** |
| Total Alkalinity | mg CaCO3/L | <400 | <8 | <8 |
| Bacteria | CFU/mL | <500*** | <10 | N/A |
| Endotoxin | EU/mL | N/A*** | <10 | N/A |
| Total Organic Carbon (TOC) | mg/L (ppm) | N/A | <1.0 | N/A |
| Color and Turbidity | Visual | Colorless, clear, without sediment | Colorless, clear, without sediment | Colorless, clear, without sediment |
| Ionic Contaminants | ||||
| Aluminum | mg/L | <0.1 | <0.1 | <0.1 |
| Chloride | mg/L | <250 | <1 | <1 |
| Conductivity | μS/cm | <500 | <10 | <10 |
| Copper | mg/L | <0.1 | <0.1 | <0.1 |
| Iron | mg/L | <0.1 | <0.1 | <0.1 |
| Manganese | mg/L | <0.1 | <0.1 | <0.1 |
| Nitrate | mg/L | <10 | <1 | <1 |
| Phosphate | mg/L | <5 | <1 | <1 |
| Sulfate | mg/L | <150 | <1 | <1 |
| Silicate | mg/L | <50 | <1 | <1 |
| Total Hardness | mg CaCO3/L | <150**** | <1 | <1 |
| Zinc | mg/L | <0.1 | <0.1 | <0.1 |
Customized Solutions for Every Facility
Whether you’re a small clinic or a large hospital, Hydrocare offers flexible solutions to ensure your water systems comply with AAMI ST108 standards. Our expert team works with you to create customized testing and compliance programs tailored to your facility’s unique requirements, allowing you to focus on providing the best patient care possible.
Contact Hydrocare Today
Stay compliant with AAMI ST108 and protect the health and safety of your patients. Contact Hydrocare today to learn more about our testing services and how we can help your facility meet the highest standards for water and steam quality in medical device reprocessing.