What device is used to test the effectiveness of sterilization methods in a clinical setting?

The biological indicator is used to test the effectiveness of sterilization methods in a clinical setting because it contains living microorganisms that are resistant to the sterilization process being tested. By placing a biological indicator in the sterilization chamber, the sterilization process can be verified by later culturing the microorganisms. If the microorganisms survive, it indicates that the sterilization process was ineffective. This method provides a reliable measure of whether the sterilization has successfully eliminated all viable organisms, ensuring that instruments and materials are safe for medical use.

Although other devices can provide information about the conditions during sterilization, such as temperature gauges and chemical indicators, they do not directly confirm the effectiveness of the sterilization process in a biological context as biological indicators do. The moisture meter is not relevant in this context, as it does not provide information about sterilization efficacy.