After autoclaving a surgical pack, you notice that the autoclave tape looks the same as it did when you placed it in the autoclave. What should you do now?

• A. Just hide the pack so you do not get in trouble for it not being sterilized.
• B. Place the pack with the others ±there is no reason to be concerned about the sterility of the instruments.
• C. Place the pack to the side and do not allow it to be used because the sterility of the pack is questionable.
• D. Open the pack to check the instruments for sterility. If they look clean, they can be used.

Answer: (C)

External indicators like autoclave tape show that the pack was exposed to the sterilization process, but they do not prove that the contents are sterile. If the tape hasn’t changed color, you cannot confirm sterilization, so the safest step is to quarantine the pack and not use it. Reprocess it and verify sterilization with proper indicators—repeat the cycle if needed and use a biological indicator (spore test) along with internal chemical indicators to confirm conditions were met. Visual cleanliness or appearance is not a reliable measure of sterility, and opening the pack to check isn’t appropriate.