Interpreting ATP Testing Results for Effective Environmental Hygiene Monitoring
Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) testing has become a widely accepted method for assessing surface cleanliness and environmental hygiene. However, interpreting ATP testing results effectively is crucial for making informed decisions and driving continuous improvement. In this blog post, we'll discuss how to set appropriate pass/fail limits and ensure fair and consistent results.
Setting Pass/Fail Limits
Each ATP testing device comes with manufacturer-recommended ranges that serve as a reference. For example:
3M Pass/Fail Values for General Use:
Pass (RLU): <300
Caution (RLU): 300 - 500
Fail (RLU): >500
For the healthcare industry, 3M's passing RLU value is more stringent at 250.
Hygiena Luminometers:
Pass (RLU): 0 - 10
Caution (RLU): 11 - 30
Fail (RLU): 31+
Kikkoman Pass/Fail Values:
Pass (RLU): 0 - 250
Caution (RLU): 251 - 500
Fail (RLU): 501+
While these ranges provide a starting point, it's preferable to set limits for each site individually through a validation process, as all sites are unique to some extent. Factors such as passenger flow, area size, openness to the external environment, and strategic importance of each location should be considered when adjusting pass/fail values.
For example, an outdoor or semi-outdoor location's temperature and humidity will be affected by the season. A borderline result in summer could be more problematic than in winter, as hot and humid weather promotes the growth of bacteria and viruses.
When working with an outsourced vendor for cleaning performance assessment, we recommend setting pass/fail values on three levels:
Committed Level: The level to be achieved by the vendor after full cleaning each day.
Acceptance Level: The level to be achieved or maintained during daytime hours after a period of human activity.
Fail: Indicates a need to investigate the cause and develop an action plan for improvement.
Ensuring Fair and Consistent Results
To ensure fair and consistent ATP testing results, consider the following:
Record test results with pictures for documentation and reference.
Take multiple samples from high-risk and direct contact spots.
Verify test results using an ATP testing algorithm (see Chart 1).
Chart 1 illustrates a flow chart using 3-level acceptance criteria to guide the testing process and ensure consistent results
In the post-pandemic world, maintaining a clean and safe environment is not just a given but a social responsibility that safeguards the wellness of staff and the community. When executed correctly by professionals, ATP testing serves as a reliable measurement for surface cleanliness, reflecting cleaning performance and providing an objective tool for comparison among peers to drive continuous improvement.
At Avalon Steritech, our team of experts can help you establish an effective ATP testing program, set appropriate pass/fail limits, and interpret results to optimize your environmental hygiene monitoring efforts. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can support your commitment to maintaining a clean, safe, and healthy environment.
