What should be done if the sterilization monitoring record indicates a discrepancy?

When a sterilization monitoring record indicates a discrepancy, it signals a potential failure in the sterilization process, which can compromise patient safety and infection control standards. Therefore, documenting the error and reporting it for further investigation is critical to ensuring that any underlying issues can be identified and addressed promptly. This step is essential for maintaining safe practices and ensuring that the sterilization results are reliable.

Taking such action allows healthcare providers to evaluate the cause of the discrepancy, whether it was due to a malfunctioning sterilizer, incorrect procedures, or other factors. It ensures that appropriate corrective measures can be implemented and that all protocols are followed to prevent future issues.

In contrast, continuing to use the sterilizer without addressing the discrepancy poses a risk of using unsterilized equipment, which could lead to infections and adverse outcomes for patients. Similarly, ignoring the discrepancy would also endanger patient safety and violate infection control regulations. Consulting the manufacturer's instructions may be beneficial, but it is not sufficient if the discrepancy itself is not documented and reported for thorough investigation. Therefore, the best course of action is to document the error and report it, ensuring accountability and safety in sterilization processes.