Central Service - Issue 2/07

EDITORIAL

"Patient Choice"

NEWS UPDATE

What’s New in Standardisation: Determining the Process Challenge Location
International Expert Group for Medical Device Reprocessing Takes up Work
The Hygiene Challenges of the Future. Expert Colloquium at the medicallounge in Berlin
Congress Report: 8th International Forum - Medical Devices and Processes
Validators of (Steam) Sterilisation Processes in the Healthcare Sector. Part 2 - Discussions and Results

MAIN ARTICLES

T. Friedrich, K. Roth, J. Gauer, P. Heeg:
Investigations of the Recovery of Residual Contamination in the Validation of Washer-Disinfectors Pursuant to EN ISO 15883 Part 1
(Zentr Steril 2007; 15 (2): 93-108)

Abstract
Background:
EN ISO 15883 defines minimum cleaning requirements for reprocessing surgical instruments in washer-disinfectors.

Objective:
Determination of recovery rates for residual contamination using elution method on processed medical devices according to EN ISO 15883. Optimization of the elution method by increasing recovery rates.

Methods:
Determination of residual contamination and its recovery rate by elution using the radionuclide method.

Results:
For surgical instruments, it could be shown that using SDS elution recovery rates of no more than 0 to 40% can be obtained. After optimization of the recovery method under experimental conditions using test plates, the recovery rate can be increased to almost 100%.

N. Saurel, A. Thomain, I. Hermelin-Jobet:
16-Week Evaluation of Predisinfection of Surgical Medical Devices Carried Out at the Orléans Regional Hospital Centre in 2006. Proposals and Report on Improvements
(Zentr Steril 2007; 15 (2): 109-121)

Abstract
Objectives:
The aim of this study was to improve conformity with the requirements for predisinfection and transportation of the predisinfected medical devices originating in the operating theatres.

Methods:
To that effect, we carried out a 16-week prospective study to evaluate the incidents of non-conformity (NCs) detected in the washing section of our Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD).

Results:
The results were communicated on a weekly basis to the operating theatre personnel so as to reduce this non-conformity rate. 16 weeks into the study, we had collected and analysed 1486 data collection forms. An improvement was seen in conformance with the predisinfection and transportation requirements in the course of the study. Nonetheless, by the end of the study we continued to detect traces of residual blood and of other biological tissues on the medical devices or in the predisinfection basins. This lack of conformity poses a risk of infection to the CSSD personnel as well as to patients. The detection rate for the predisinfection basins concerned was reduced from 4.5% (week 21) to 3.2% (week 36).

DISCUSSION

Declaration of the Working Group Instrument Preparation (AKI) on the Recommendations of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) on Infection Control in Dentistry

Quality Management in the CSSD - Standard Surgical Instruments (3):
Visual Inspection, Maintenance and Functional Testing of Standard Surgical Scissors

RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE QUALITY TASK GROUP (AK »QUALITÄT«)

Decontamination of Plastic Sterilisation Containers and Plastic Supports (2)