5 Common Bowie-Dick Test Failures And How To Prevent Them

A failed Bowie-Dick test signals more than a minor setback; it’s a warning that your sterilizer may not be achieving the conditions required for effective steam sterilization. These failures can lead to compliance risks, compromised product quality, and costly downtime. Understanding the root causes is essential for prevention. Common culprits include insufficient air removal, vacuum leaks, non-condensable gases in the steam supply, improper test placement, and steam quality issues. Each failure mode has proven strategies to mitigate risk, from routine maintenance and leak testing to steam quality monitoring and operator training. By addressing these factors proactively, you can maintain sterility assurance and avoid production disruptions.

Explore the five most frequent failure modes and practical prevention steps to safeguard your process.