Certified Healthcare Leader (CHL) Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

When a Biological Indicator (BI) fails, the appropriate course of action is to reprocess the items before use and recall to the last negative BI. This is critical because a failed BI suggests that the sterilization process may not have been effective, potentially allowing for contaminated items to remain in circulation.

The reprocessing of items ensures that any potential risks associated with unsterilized equipment or materials are mitigated. By recalling to the last negative BI, healthcare leaders can identify the last verified effective sterilization cycle, which serves as a reference point to determine the safety of the items processed afterward. Ensuring the integrity and safety of medical devices is paramount in healthcare settings to prevent infections and protect patient safety.

Meanwhile, continuing to use the device as usual would pose a risk by potentially exposing patients to contaminated materials. Retesting only the last load does not adequately address prior items that may have already been processed and could therefore compromise patient safety. Notifying the regulatory authority is necessary under certain circumstances, but immediate reprocessing of items is a priority to protect patient health following a failed BI.