Introduction

The Institute of Decontamination Sciences (IDSc) is committed to developing standards of excellence in medical device decontamination.

The IDSc develops educational training programmes for staff operating in this field. It provides guidelines for the Health Service, private sector and Government departments, for the safe and effective decontamination of medical devices.

About IDSc - History

The IDSc is the UK’s biggest professional body dedicated to the decontamination of medical devices. Through its internationally recognised accredited training programmes, publications and guidance, the Institute provides the largest resource of its kind.

In the UK, Sterile Services Departments (SSD’s) were pioneered and developed in the late 1950’s following the successful supply of pre-sterile sets of surgical instruments and dressings by the Royal Army Medical Corps to support the Suez crisis.

As part of the early development of the service, Superintendents managing the departments formed the Association of Sterile Supplies Managers (ASSM). This was the predecessor to the Institute of Sterile Services Management (ISSM), which evolved in 1984.

In November 2004, the ISSM changed its official name to The Institute of Decontamination Sciences (IDSc). This name change, reflects, acknowledges and encompasses all decontamination professionals, allied professions, clinical services and, the challenges of safe healthcare provision. From the inception of the ASSM, the IDSc has continued to develop and grow in strength, and is now recognised as a key member of the team managing all of the risks associated with ensuring adequate infection control in the treatment, well being and recovery of patients.

The essential control and reduction of Health Care Acquired Infection (HCAI) is fundamental in effective patient treatment. Patients have a right to expect professional competence, expertise and the medical devices used in any intervention is safe for use and decontaminated to the highest standards.

The IDSc embraces the challenges faced in helping to reduce the risks of infection and is committed in ensuring the provision of competent staff that can provide the highest standards of decontamination.

The risks associated with infections healthcare premises have a very high public profile following the emergence of Creutzfeldt Jacob Disease (CJD). IDSc members actively work in all areas of decontamination across the acute and primary health care sectors including the emerging decontamination challenges of endoscopy and dental services.

IDSc Publications

The Official Journal of the Institute of Decontamination Sciences is the IDSc Journal which is published every three months.

IDSc Events

Upcoming Conferences

...to be announced...

Past Conferences

Decontamination Sciences Congress 2006
27 November 2006 to 29 November 2006
St Andrews Bay Hotel, Scotland
[ More information: www.idsc-uk.org ]

Institute of Decontamination Sciences Annual Conference 2005
28 November 2005 to 30 November 2005
Blackpool, United Kingdom
[ More information: www.idsc-uk.org ]

DSc 2005
30 March 2005 to 01 April 2005
Business Design Centre, London, United Kingdom
Jointly sponsored by the IDSc - Institute of Decontamination Sciences
and the International Federation for Sterile Supply (IFSS)
and hosting the European Forum of Hospital Sterile Supply (EFHSS)
[ Conference Details ]
[ Conference Report ]

ISSM Annual Conference and Exhibition 2004
29 November 2004 to 01 December 2004
Hilton Hotel, Blackpool, United Kingdom

ISSM Annual Conference and Exhibition 2003
Validation, Evaluation & Monitoring
24 November 2003 to 26 November 2003
St. Andrews Bay Hotel, Scotland

ISSM Annual Conference and Exhibition 2002
25 November 2002 to 27 November 2002
Hilton Hotel, North Shore, Blackpool, United Kingdom

ISSM Annual Conference and Exhibition 2001
26 November 2001 to 28 November 2001
Hilton Hotel, North Shore, Blackpool, United Kingdom

ISSM Annual Conference and Exhibition 2000
27 November 2000 to 29 November 2000
Hilton Hotel, North Shore, Blackpool, United Kingdom

ISSM Annual Conference and Exhibition 1999
15 November 1999 to 17 November 1999
Stakis Hotel, Blackpool, United Kingdom

IDSc Contact

Please see the IDSc Website for contact details and more information about the Institute of Decontamination Sciences.

Information about United Kingdom

Location

United Kingdom is in Western Europe, islands including the northern one-sixth of the island of Ireland between the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea, northwest of France. With a total of 360 km land boundaries and 12,429 km coastline, United Kingdom shares borders with Ireland 360 km.

Statistics

• Area: 244,820 km² (land: 241,590 km², water: 3,230 km²)
• Population: 60,270,708 (July 2004)
• Capital: London
• Language: English, Welsh (about 26% of the population of Wales), Scottish form of Gaelic (about 60,000 in Scotland)
• Religion: Anglican and Roman Catholic 40 million, Muslim 1.5 million, Presbyterian 800,000, Methodist 760,000, Sikh 500,000, Hindu 500,000, Jewish 350,000
• Climate: temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than one-half of the days are overcast.
• Time Zone: Greenwich Mean Time [GMT]
• Currency: British Pound [GBP].