What type of indicator should be placed in the sterilization device monthly?

The correct choice is the biological indicator (BI). Biological indicators are specifically designed to assess the effectiveness of the sterilization process. They contain live spores of microorganisms that are highly resistant to the sterilization methods used in health care settings. By integrating biological indicators into the sterilization process monthly, practitioners can verify that the sterilization cycle was able to kill these resilient spores, ensuring that the process is effective.

Routine monthly testing with BIs is a part of quality assurance protocols in sterile processing, as it provides definitive evidence of sterilization efficacy. This is particularly essential in healthcare, where sterilized instruments are critical to patient safety. Other types of indicators, such as chemical indicators, only show whether the conditions for sterilization were met but do not provide the same level of assurance regarding the actual sterilization of microorganisms.