Question 1

Why do I get a different RLU result when I re-measure the same test device again in the luminometer?

Accepted Answer

You will always get a different reading when trying to re-read the same test device more than once. The meter is reading the amount of light given off by the reagent. This value peaks and then begins to drop off. Always measure your test device within the time recommended in the product instructions. Any result you receive after the first reading may be misleading because that light will continue to decrease until, eventually, no light is emitted.

Question 2

Will direct sunlight affect test results?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Tests activated and measured in direct sunlight will distort results, increasing the RLU output. If a test must be collected outside, the swab device should be activated and measured out of the direct sunlight.

Question 3

How does temperature affect ATP test results?

Accepted Answer

Ambient temperatures of 20–22 °C (70–72 °F) provide optimal performance. The only time ambient temperatures can affect results is if reagents are at a low temperature. This can happen if testing is done immediately after taking the tests out of the refrigerator. If testing in cold environments, the instrument will self-adjust to external temperature, but the luciferase reagents need to be at  20–22 °C (70–72 °F) to function optimally.
If reagents are cold, then the reaction will be slower and the RLU result for a given amount of ATP will be lower.
However, temperature does not affect light measurement from the instrument, provided that it has been equilibrated to the environmental conditions. The instrument will sense an environmental temperature change of 5 °C and will automatically initiate a 15-second recalibration sequence.
The user can also initiate a manual recalibration at any time by pressing and holding the OK button for 3 seconds.
The system can be used in cold environments (e.g., 5 °C) if the instrument is equilibrated for 10 – 15 minutes before use and if the reagent swab devices are kept warm, e.g., by storage in an internal pocket close to body heat.

Question 4

How do sanitizers or soap affect Hygiena products?

Accepted Answer

Several sanitizers commonly used in the food & beverage and healthcare industries have been tested at normal working strength and have no significant effect on UltraSnap® performance. Only acid-based sanitizers, if used at higher than normal concentrations, have been found to have an effect on performance. If you are unsure about the chemical nature of your sanitizers, consult your sanitizer manufacturer or Hygiena technical support.

Question 5

How do I erase the results off the handheld?

Accepted Answer

There are two ways to erase the results off the handheld.
For EnSURE® Touch:

Connect to WiFi (internet). Click the Sync button from the home screen then the Sync Now button. 
Automatic syncing occurs when connected to WiFi.

For SystemSure® Plus:

If you are using SureTrend® software, simply connect your luminometer to your computer, click “Synchronize” in SureTrend, upload results, and click “Yes” when asked if you would like to erase test results memory.
If you want to erase the results without syncing to SureTrend, select the * button on the meter, then use the arrows to navigate to the Memory menu. Press “OK” to select, and then press and hold down the * button for 2 seconds. This will display the total number of stored results to be erased. To accept and start the erase function, press and hold down the “OK” button for 1 second. To cancel, press any other button.

Question 6

How do I set my Pass and Fail limits for my ATP program?

Accepted Answer

All systems come preset with generic limits that can usually be applied to most processing facilities. These thresholds have been established over the years by companies performing ATP testing and are supported by scientific research papers. These thresholds are typically a good starting point for companies new to ATP testing. You may also set your own Pass/Fail RLU limits by collecting samples from test locations and establishing your own baseline readings.

Question 7

How do I establish my Pass/Fail RLU limits?

Accepted Answer

Hygiena provides industry-standardized recommendations for broad risk categories such as near-patient areas, public areas, etc. You may also set your own Pass/Fail RLU limits by collecting samples from test locations.

Question 8

How does bioluminescence work?

Accepted Answer

Bioluminescence is the result of a biochemical reaction and is the science behind Hygiena ATP detection tests. The reaction includes the following elements:

Luciferase enzyme- naturally occurring in fireflies, or synthetically manufactured
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) – the energy molecule of all living organisms
Oxygen- a catalyst
Luciferin- a molecule that undergoes a chemical charge when affixed by an enzyme

ATP + Luciferin + Luciferase + O2 → Light output
The reaction occurs in two steps: The substrate combines with ATP and oxygen, which is controlled by the enzyme. The chemical energy in step 1 excites a specific molecule (the combination of Luciferin and Luciferase). The result is decay which is manifested as photon emission or light production, which is measured in a luminometer. The light is simply a by-product of the chemical reaction and does not depend on light.
Hygiena® ATP testing devices contain a natural enzyme found in fireflies. This enzyme produces a simple bioluminescent (light-producing) reaction when it comes into contact with ATP. Using bioluminescence technology, the SystemSURE® Plus, EnSURE® or EnSURE® Touch luminometers can measure extremely low levels of ATP collected with testing devices. Measuring the amount of bioluminescence from an ATP reaction provides an excellent indication of surface cleanliness because the quantity of light generated by the reaction is directly proportional to the amount of ATP present in the sample. The bioluminescence reaction is immediate so results can be processed at the testing site in seconds. Results are expressed numerically on the luminometer screen in Relative Light Units (RLU).

Question 9

How does ATP monitoring work?

Accepted Answer

Hygiena™ ATP testing devices contain a natural enzyme found in fireflies. This enzyme produces a simple bioluminescenct (light-producing) reaction when it comes into contact with ATP. Using bioluminescence technology, the SystemSURE™ Plus, EnSURE™ or EnSURE™ Touch luminometers can measure extremely low levels of ATP collected with testing devices. Measuring the amount of bioluminescence from an ATP reaction provides an excellent indication of surface cleanliness because the quantity of light generated by the reaction is directly proportional to the amount of ATP present in the sample. The bioluminescence reaction is immediate so results can be processed at the testing site in seconds. Results are expressed numerically on the luminometer screen in Relative Light Units (RLU).
Bioluminescence is the result of a biochemical reaction and is the science behind Hygiena™ ATP detection tests. The reaction includes the following elements:

Luciferin /Luciferase -naturally occurring in fireflies
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) – the energy molecule of all living organisms
Oxygen- a catalyst

Luciferin /Luciferase + ATP + O2 → Light output

Question 10

How do I properly dispose of Hygiena ATP test devices, including UltraSnap and SuperSnap?

Accepted Answer

Hygiena ATP test devices are made of 100% recyclable, non-toxic plastic and may be discarded with plastic recyclables according to your local regulations. (Recycling Code 7: Other).

Question 11

How do I contact Hygiena to purchase an ATP solution?

Accepted Answer

Hygiena™ products are available worldwide. We have a direct sales staff in the USA, UK and parts of Europe, and Asia. Go to the contact form on any product page or go to the contact page here, or call us at the phone number at the top right of this web page. Hygiena™ also has a network of dedicated distributors and agents across the globe, covering over 80 countries. Hygiena’s sales team and distributors have specific skills and experience in providing products in the food processing market, particularly ATP bioluminescence and its applications. To find a distributor in a particular part of the world, click here.

Question 12

How do I contact Hygiena to purchase an ATP solution (monitoring or testing product)?

Accepted Answer

Hygiena® products are available worldwide. We have a direct sales staff in the USA, UK and parts of Europe, and Asia. Hygiena also has a network of dedicated distributors and agents across the globe, covering over 80 countries.

Question 13

How do I use ATP testing, protein testing, and specific allergen testing together in my environmental allergen control program?

Accepted Answer

Incorporating high-sensitivity ATP testing, high-sensitivity protein testing, and specific surface allergen tests into your environmental monitoring program is a proactive and holistic way to prevent allergen contamination and validate and verify cleaning procedures. Learn more about our allergen detection solutions.

Question 14

What are Hygiena ATP swabs pre-moistened with? Is it safe?

Accepted Answer

Hygiena's ATP test swabs are pre-moistened with a mild extraction solution that aids in sample collection and ATP extraction. The solution is non-toxic and is not a growth medium, so it is completely safe. Please refer to the Safety Data Sheet for the product for further information.

Question 15

How often should critical and regular test sites be swabbed?

Accepted Answer

Critical (high-risk) test sites should be swabbed on a daily basis, after each cleaning or after terminal cleaning. If a failure is measured, immediate corrective action should be taken with re-cleaning and re-testing until a passing result can be measured. Regular (lower-risk) control points may not need to be tested as frequently.

Question 16

What is the limit of detection of Hygiena ATP tests?

Accepted Answer

The limit of detection depends on the test device and luminometer used:

UltraSnap® & SystemSURE® Plus : 1 femtomole of ATP
SuperSnap® & SystemSURE® Plus : <0.20 femtomoles of ATP
SuperSnap® & EnSURE® : <0.10 femtomoles of ATP
UltraSnap® & EnSURE® Touch: < 1.0 femtomoles of ATP

Question 17

What is the difference between cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization?

Accepted Answer

Cleaning is the removal of organic matter and the reduction of risk from material which is a potential contaminant, or material which could support the survival and growth of microbes.
Disinfection  is the reduction of microbiological hazards to a minimal level but not necessarily complete inactivation of all microbiological hazards.
Sterilization is the complete destruction and inactivation of all microbial hazard.

Question 18

What is the proper swabbing technique?

Accepted Answer

You should swab an area that is about 4 by 4 square inches (10 x 10 cm) or in the case of a hard-to-clean area, as much of the surface as possible, being consistent in the area covered. Do not let the swab come into contact with anything other than the test area to avoid contamination. Apply pressure to the swab to pick up surface residue and penetrate any biofilm that may be present. After collecting the sample, place the swab back into the swab collection tube. Once the device has been activated, it should be read as soon as possible.

Question 19

When should I do ATP testing?

Accepted Answer

ATP testing should ideally be done after cleaning, but before sanitization. Because sanitizers are less effective when product residues are on the surface, it’s best to eliminate all ATP before the sanitization step. In some facilities, testing after cleaning is not possible. In these scenarios, testing after sanitization is acceptable. Most sanitizers will not affect Hygiena’s ATP test devices, and if the proper concentration and dwell time are followed, there should be no interference from sanitizers.

Question 20

How many food and beverage companies are doing ATP monitoring?

Accepted Answer

Nearly all food and beverage companies that process food with any water activity or can sustain organisms perform ATP testing. Companies with highly processed materials like oil or companies dealing with products with no water activity like dry grains, sometimes will not do ATP testing.
ATP testing is used worldwide and is a recognized tool by auditors for validating cleaning processes; it also complies with government and HACCP regulations.

Question 21

How many ATP tests do I need to take to accurately monitor cleanliness in my hospital?

Accepted Answer

One misconception of ATP monitoring systems is that pre-cleaning and post-cleaning measurements need to be taken to measure cleaning effectiveness. ATP swabs should never be used on surfaces that are known to be soiled or dirty, as they will always result in a Fail test result. Sanitation companies and chemical suppliers will often use pre-clean and post-clean ATP tests to demonstrate the effectiveness of cleaning products, but this demonstration should not be confused with regular use in an ATP monitoring program. ATP monitoring should only be done after cleaning and not before and after cleaning. This is a key advantage of ATP monitoring over fluorescent marking systems that require multiple room visits as described above. Hospitals also do not need to monitor every single location available, but only a statistically representative sample in order to gather sufficient data for reporting and results in interpretation. To estimate testing frequency for your hospital, and to calculate the ROI on cleaning performance, use the Testing Frequency. and  ROI Calculator found here.

Question 22

How many ATP tests do I need to take to accurately monitor cleanliness in my facility?

Accepted Answer

One misconception of ATP monitoring systems is that pre-cleaning and post-cleaning measurements need to be taken to measure cleaning effectiveness. ATP swabs should never be used on surfaces that are known to be soiled or dirty, as they will always result in a Fail test result. Sanitation companies and chemical suppliers will often use pre-clean and post-clean ATP tests to demonstrate the effectiveness of cleaning products, but this demonstration should not be confused with regular use in an ATP monitoring program. ATP monitoring should only be done after cleaning and not before and after cleaning. This is a key advantage of ATP monitoring over fluorescent marking systems that require multiple location visits as described above. Facilities also do not need to monitor every single location available, but only a statistically representative sample.

Question 23

How long can a test that has been sampled, but not activated by breaking the Snap Valve, be held before testing in the instrument?

Accepted Answer

Longer times between sample swabbing and luminometer testing resulted in significant reductions in RLUs, and raise the risk of false-negative results. We recommend the activation of test devices be conducted as soon as possible and no longer than 30 minutes after sample collection.

Question 24

How many healthcare facilities are using ATP monitoring technology?

Accepted Answer

A majority of US hospitals are measuring cleanliness with ATP monitoring systems. ATP systems are also prevalent in the UK and parts of Europe. The proportion of hospitals using ATP monitoring is growing and is expected to continue rising as hospitals continue to battle growing healthcare associated infection (HAI) rates and increasing demand for cleaner facilities.

Question 25

Does the system need to be calibrated?

Accepted Answer

Hygiena® ATP systems self-calibrate at start-up to ensure accurate readings. To further verify calibration, we offer a calibration control kit. Though the kit is not necessary for the system's performance, a documented calibration process shows due diligence to auditors. With advanced technology, Hygiena systems will stay in calibration for the life of the device. If you require a manufacturer’s calibration as part of your quality program, you can request a quote for calibration here.

Question 26

Are there any studies or whitepapers on ATP testing?

Accepted Answer

Many manufacturers offer seemingly scientific research supporting their own ATP systems. All are based on proprietary formulations that differ markedly in performance. Their systems are also dependent on instrumentation and electronics. Therefore, RLU values are not a standard of measurement across suppliers. This means that customers need to understand that only objective studies conducted by independent laboratories should be accepted as scientific evidence of product performance. We suggest customers refer to our AOAC certification which also includes peer-review data. Silliker Laboratories, the leading international food testing and safety laboratory, conducted an independent study comparing five commercial ATP systems, including ours. This third-party study found that Hygiena ATP testing and monitoring products offer superior linearity, sensitivity, repeatability, and accuracy. Request a copy here!

Question 27

Are there maintenance costs I should be worried about?

Accepted Answer

Unlike other systems on the market, Hygiena’s EnSURE® Touch and SystemSURE® Plus do not require expensive yearly maintenance or service contracts. Monitoring systems come with a 1-year warranty. Should your system become damaged or non-operational, Hygiena® will promptly replace your device with a loaner so that you do not experience any interruption in your testing program.

Question 28

Why do EnSURE Touch and SystemSURE Plus come pre-programmed with Pass/Fail limits of 10 and 30?

Accepted Answer

The pre-programmed limits for food and beverage facilities are based on years of data, experience, and third part studies. Hygiena® recommends that users validate these recommendations and adjust them to meet each facility’s unique needs. To see the data or learn more, check our documents library for the product instructions and technical documents.

Question 29

Why is ATP testing a better way to verify cleanliness?

Accepted Answer

Visual inspection is no longer a sufficient measure of cleanliness in healthcare facilities. In order to measure the cleanliness of surfaces and medical tools after cleaning, healthcare professionals around the globe are turning to ATP testing. The old way of cleaning verification required a supervisor to visit a room after a patient had been discharged to mark surfaces with a fluorescent gel pen. Then, after the environmental services staff completed cleaning, the supervisor had to return to the room to perform a visual inspection of the surfaces. This inspection was subjective, not measurable, required a supervisor to evaluate twice (wasting valuable time), and held up room turnover. With ATP testing, supervisors only need to visit a room once. Test swabs take only 10-15 seconds and can objectively quantify the cleanliness of a room. This allows rooms to be turned over faster, enables supervisors to get more work done, and holds cleaning staff accountable for proper cleaning with actual, quantifiable data.

Question 30

Why are Hygiena's products so much more cost effective?

Accepted Answer

Hygiena™ strives to create easier-to-use, more cost-effective products for its clients. By partnering with leading manufacturing companies and using state-of-the-art automated manufacturing processes in-house, Hygiena™ is able to create superior cost-effective products. A perfect example of this is our ATP bioluminescence product line. It incorporates Medical Packaging’s patented user-friendly and environmentally-friendly Snap-Valve™ technology, which allows us to create an easy-to-use sample test device that uses less plastic than our competition and has superior performance. Combining this with our unique liquid-stable reagents allows us to have a complete all-in-one sample testing device that has better performance and costs a lot less.

Question 31

Why are Hygiena's products so much more cost effective?

Accepted Answer

Hygiena® strives to create easier-to-use, more cost-effective products for its clients. By partnering with leading manufacturing companies and using state-of-the-art automated manufacturing processes in-house, Hygiena is able to create superior cost-effective products. A perfect example of this is our ATP bioluminescence product line. It incorporates patented and environmentally-friendly SnapValve technology, which allows us to create an easy-to-use sample test device that uses less plastic than our competition and has superior performance. Combining this with our unique liquid-stable reagents, this allows us to have a complete all-in-one sample testing device that has better performance and costs a lot less. See Superior ATP Performance.

Question 32

Can an ATP system identify Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or Clostridium difficile on a surface?

Accepted Answer

Not specifically. The only way to identify Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or Clostridium difficile is with microbiological testing methods that can take several days for results. ATP systems only detect the presence of organic materials on a surface and cannot detect specific strains of bacteria. Properly cleaned surfaces absent of ATP will not have the organic material required to facilitate harborage and growth of bacteria.

Question 33

Can an ATP system identify Norovirus, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or Clostridium difficile on a surface?

Accepted Answer

Not specifically. The only way to identify Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or Clostridium difficile is with microbiological testing methods, which can take several days for results. ATP systems only detect the presence of organic materials on a surface and cannot detect specific strains of bacteria, yeast or mold. Properly cleaned surfaces absent of ATP will not have the organic material required to facilitate harborage and growth of bacteria.

Question 34

Can ATP test devices be stored at room temperature?

Accepted Answer

Yes, our ATP test devices can be stored at room temperature (21-25 °C) for up to 4 weeks as long it is prior to the indicated expiration date on the label.

Question 35

Can I compare RLU counts to CFU plate counts?

Accepted Answer

ATP systems with standard ATP test swabs detect the presence of ATP and cannot distinguish microbial ATP from other organic ATP left behind after cleaning. RLU results could potentially be microbial cells, organic ATP from product residue, or both. This makes comparing RLU to CFU difficult. Studies have shown that there is between a 60% to 90% correlation between RLU and CFU readings, depending on the environment in which the system is used.
The presence of ATP on a surface indicates that it has not been adequately cleaned. The primary purpose of cleaning is to remove product residue from product contact surfaces. Effective cleaning simultaneously removes the material capable of supporting microbial survival and growth, as well as many of the microbes themselves. The technology behind ATP systems has been changing quite rapidly over the past few years, and now there are ATP systems that can run tests for specific microorganisms (i.e., MicroSnap® and InSite® systems).

Question 36

Can I have different limits for different locations?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Pass/Fail limits are 100% customizable to fit your facility and program needs. To adjust limits for specific locations, simply edit location information in the SureTrend software.

Question 37

Can I use ATP to verify the effectiveness of UV, Ozone, or Vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VH2O2) room sterilization?

Accepted Answer

Bactericidal applications of UV, Ozone or Vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VH2O2) kill any bacteria on surfaces. Surface ATP tests don’t discern live or dead cells, so taking an ATP test immediately after sterilization of an unclean surface will always result in ATP presence. This doesn’t mean that you can’t use ATP testing if you also use UV, Ozone, or Vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VH2O2) room sterilization! Instructions for all of these technologies recommend thorough cleaning before application. To ensure your sterilization is most effective, you should validate cleaning thoroughness before sterilization. ATP testing should be used before terminal sterilization to ensure cleaning has thoroughly prepared the room for effective sterilization with UV, Ozone, or Vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VH2O2).

Question 38

What areas should be tested?

Accepted Answer

Food contact areas (direct and indirect) and hard-to-clean areas should be the main focus of your swabbing program. Direct contact areas are surfaces where the presence of any contaminant will taint the final product. Indirect contact areas are those where splashed product, dust, or liquid has the potential to be dropped, drained, or transferred onto the product. Hard-to-clean areas may include filler heads, O-rings, nozzles, and areas with irregularly shaped surfaces, corners, grooves and cracks.

Question 39

What is ATP Monitoring?

Accepted Answer

ATP monitoring is a rapid testing method used by food and beverage processors to quickly assess the cleanliness of surfaces or liquid samples from such places as CIP systems. Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) is present in all organic material and is the universal unit of energy used in all living cells. ATP is produced and/or broken down in metabolic processes in all living systems. Processes such as photosynthesis in plants, muscle contraction in humans, respiration in fungi, and fermentation in yeast are all driven by ATP. Therefore, most foods and microbial cells will contain some level of naturally occurring ATP.
Hygiena® luminometers (in conjunction with ATP swabs) use bioluminescence to detect residual ATP as an indicator of surface cleanliness. The presence of ATP on a surface indicates improper cleaning and the presence of contamination, including food residue, allergens and/or bacteria. This implies a potential for the surface to harbor and support bacterial growth.
ATP monitoring is used in food and beverage facilities to confirm that effective sanitation procedures have eliminated or minimized ATP presence. ATP monitoring measures cross-contamination, ensures product integrity and shelf life and protects brand reputation.

Question 40

What is a biofilm?

Accepted Answer

A biofilm is formed when microorganisms find a receptive environment where they are exposed to food and moisture. The microorganisms work together as a population and secrete a sticky polymer to form a solid matrix attached to a surface. Once a biofilm is established, it is very difficult to eliminate because the microbes are reinforced and protected by the matrix, making them very resistant to sanitizers. Biofilms are often responsible for poor product quality and/or lost product due to contamination, causing costly damage to both product and equipment. The threat of a biofilm can be reduced with an effective sanitation procedure and ATP hygiene monitoring, allowing early detection and removal of food residue – thus eliminating the food source for possible biofilm-forming microbes.

Question 41

What is an RLU?

Accepted Answer

RLU stands for Relative Light Unit and is the unit of measure used in bioluminescence. When a test swab is activated, a bioluminescent reaction occurs, generating light output. Luminometers measure and quantify that light as an RLU output. Because manufacturers use different sensor technologies and algorithms for adding up the photons, RLU measurements will vary from system to system. However, because the ATP bioluminescence reaction is linear, the more ATP present means the more light will be present. This makes comparing systems easy. (Comparing RLU values is like comparing Fahrenheit and Celsius; they are two different scales for the same temperature).
The relationship between the amount of ATP in the sample and the RLU result reading on the luminometer is simple:
High contamination (improper cleaning) = Large amount of ATP = More light produced in reaction = Higher RLU reading on SystemSURE® Plus, EnSURE® or EnSURE® Touch.
The RLU reading is directly proportional to the amount of ATP collected from the sample. A high RLU reading indicates a large amount of ATP at the test location. This, in turn, indicates improper cleaning and the presence of contaminants.
Cleaning properly results in less ATP at the location. Less ATP results in less light output during the bioluminescent reaction and consequently, a lower RLU reading.

Question 42

What will I see on the luminometer screen after taking an ATP test?

Accepted Answer

Below is an image of the luminometer screen:

Image

Question 43

Does a surface have to be dry before I can swab?

Accepted Answer

Surfaces do not have to be dry to perform a swab test. However, for consistent readings, surfaces should be swabbed in the same conditions (always wet or always dry). Hygiena swabs come pre-moistened for maximum sample recovery on dry surfaces.

Question 44

Do all foods contain ATP?

Accepted Answer

Since ATP is present in all organic matter, all foods contain ATP at varying levels. This is why testing for ATP presence is the preferred way to measure the cleanliness of surfaces and water samples. Highly processed foods such as oil will have very little to no ATP.

Question 45

Does a 0 (zero) RLU indicate sterility?

Accepted Answer

Sterility is a term relating to a true microbiology test, i.e., the complete absence of microorganisms including bacteria, yeast, fungi, and their spores. An ATP test detects all sources of ATP but cannot differentiate ATP from food or bacteria, thus a zero RLU result cannot be equated with sterility.

Question 46

I accidentally placed a wet swab into the read chamber. How can I clean the instrument?

Accepted Answer

One of the great features of Hygiena’s SystemSURE® Plus is the removable read chamber, which can be hand washed in the event of situations like these. To remove the read chamber, open the lid of the system, and insert your finger into the read chamber, and pull it out. The read chamber can be washed with warm soapy water and allowed to air dry. Once completely dry, the read chamber may be replaced in the system. 
For the EnSURE® Touch, the read chamber can easily be accessed for cleaning. Remove the plug at the bottom of the instrument, wet a Q-Tip or pipe cleaner with water or isopropanol and clean the inside of the chamber (read chamber is halfway up) so nothing remains in the sensor window. Allow the chamber to dry completely before replacing the cap.

Question 47

I'm getting lower than expected results. What is wrong?

Accepted Answer

Almost all unexpected results can be resolved by asking yourself these questions:

Have my swabs been stored at the correct temperatures and are within the expiration date? Swabs that have been stored incorrectly for prolonged periods of time may not perform as expected.
Am I holding the meter upright when taking measurements? Holding the meter upright ensures that the sensor at the bottom of the machine can see and quantify the light reaction accurately.
Am I overloading the swab? Swabbing too large of an area, or a physically soiled surface may result in picking up physical debris. This debris will inhibit the light reaction, giving lower than expected results.
Is the read chamber dirty? A dirty read chamber could also block light from reaching the sensor. For SystemSURE® Plus: To check your read chamber, open the lid of your system, and use the vertical plastic tab to pull the read chamber out of the meter. (You may also find that pushing your finger into the chamber then lifting it out works easier for you.) If you see any water spots or debris on the clear plastic tip of the read chamber, you may wash the read chamber with warm water and a very mild detergent and then let it air dry. Ensure the chamber is completely dry before replacing it in the meter. If the read chamber has physical damage like cracks or scratches on the clear plastic tip, contact customer service to order a replacement read chamber. For EnSURE® Touch: The read chamber can easily be accessed for cleaning. Remove the plug at the bottom of the instrument, wet a Q-Tip or pipe cleaner with water or isopropanol, and clean the inside of the chamber (read chamber is halfway up) so nothing remains in the sensor window. Allow the chamber to dry completely and replace the cap.

If these tips do not resolve the problem, contact technical support.

Question 48

I'm getting higher than expected results. What is wrong?

Accepted Answer

Results are relatively unaffected by the majority of sanitizers evaluated, which includes sanitizers incorporating a wide variety of active ingredients. Under certain conditions, some sanitizers may give a slight increase in readings. Read full Technical Document
You may need to adjust your thresholds to the type of surface or environment that you are testing. Certain environments can offer higher than average results. Read full Technical Document
If these tips do not resolve the problem, contact technical support.

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