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While many methods exist for evaluating cleanliness, ATP bioluminescence is the only method that combines quantitative data collection with scientific measurement and still delivers speedy results.
For industry professionals including hospitality staff, food production teams, healthcare staff, and manufacturing professionals, maintaining cleanliness has always been a necessity. ATP hygiene monitoring technology allows users to monitor and assess the effectiveness of cleaning protocols beyond what the naked eye can see.
ATP monitoring is ideal for use as an early risk indicator for inadequate removal of organic residue when cleaning. As an established method of testing hygiene, it is used widely as a verification method for cleaning protocols in industries including food and beverage production, healthcare, hospitality, transportation, and manufacturing.
ATP hygiene monitoring can be used anywhere cleanliness matters and is an effective tool for:
ATP is not dangerous, but it is a great ‘universal indicator’ of the total organic contamination of a surface, allowing you to assess the performance of a cleaning process beyond visible means.
Even after extensive cleaning and disinfection processes, many hazards cannot be seen by the human eye and may still remain even when we believe our surfaces are no longer open to contamination. ATP hygiene monitoring is implemented to check the cleanliness of surfaces and to see if they have been cleaned thoroughly as well as effectively using ATP.
ATP hygiene verification systems use bioluminescence to identify and measure adenosine triphosphate, commonly known as ATP. It is a compound that is found in all organic matter (living or once-living) and it provides energy for metabolic processes.
ATP testing devices contain a natural enzyme found in fireflies. This enzyme, called luciferase, produces a simple bioluminescence (light-producing) reaction when it comes into contact with ATP. Using bioluminescence technology, ATP luminometers can measure extremely low levels of ATP collected with testing devices.
ATP meters do not detect viruses and performing ATP cleaning verification does not guarantee removal of viruses on surfaces. ATP Cleaning Verification should be used in conjunction with Public Health and NHS recommendations and guidelines. ATP hygiene monitoring can be used to track the effectiveness of cleaning protocols and to verify that high-touch areas in your facility have been cleaned properly.
Therefore, ATP hygiene monitoring and testing products must not be used in the replacement of materials used for detecting bacteria or virus carrying contaminants. Learn more about how Hygiena™ EnSURE™ Touch was utilised to support and facilitate cleaning during the COVID-19 pandemic by reading our case study here.
With an ATP Hygiene Monitoring System, ATP is brought into contact with a unique liquid-stable reagent in the test swab device. When a test swab is activated, a bioluminescent reaction occurs, generating light output. Luminometers measure and quantify that light with an RLU* output. Light is then emitted in direct proportion to the amount of ATP present in the sample, providing information on the level of contamination in seconds.
*RLU stands for Relative Light Unit and is the unit of measurement used in bioluminescence and luminometers to measure and quantify light with an RLU output. As ATP bioluminescence reactions are linear the higher the RLU number the higher the level of ATP in the sample.
All our ATP systems come with data analysis software making it easy to track progress and helping you to identify root causes and take action quickly. Using data trending software, ATP hygiene monitoring allows you to spot areas of concern or predict where issues could happen. This in turn improves cleaning consistency, control, and ‘right-first-time’ cleaning helping to reduce downtime.
Repeat problem areas are highlighted giving companies valuable insight into potential hazards and areas where cleaning protocols need to be assessed further. For example, if the data shows erratic results the cleaning regime is highly variable and should be examined more closely to see why.
A key aspect of the cleaning process is the methodology by which the actual standards are measured in a way that retains a documented audit trail. It is also beneficial to have a system that enables scheduled reports to compare sites and monitor progress.
You can only manage what you can measure, ATP hygiene monitoring lets you know your cleaning processes are working.
Our leading ATP hygiene monitoring products by industry experts like 3M™ and Hygiena™ will provide your organisation with clear test results to ensure that you can implement hygiene monitoring processes to the highest standard.
3M™ Clean- Trace Luminometer
3M™ Clean -Trace ATP Swabs
Available in 3M™ Clean Trace ATP Surface Swabs or 3M™ Clean Trace Water ATP Test Swabs for both surface areas and clean in place (CIP) water testing.
At Gem Scientific, we understand that ATP hygiene monitoring is vital for the hospitality, food production, manufacturing industries as well as healthcare settings like care homes.
When you choose Gem Scientific, we work with you to understand what you need from your hygiene system to give you impartial advice on the right system for you.
Our support doesn't stop once you have purchased the hygiene system. Our aftercare assistance is second to none - with specialist aftercare and technical support as standard, and free certified product training available.
Contact us today to discuss how we can help you work towards your hygiene monitoring goals:
01924 444577
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