The Principles of Medical Device Decontamination

code of conduct. Through screening, the need for additional immunisations to undertake decontamination procedures are assessed, including their immunity to certain infectious diseases (e.g. TB, chickenpox, hepatitis B). Individuals with certain medical conditions such as skin disorders (e.g. eczema, latex allergy), immuno-suppression and pregnancy and any registered disability also require careful assessment in relation to their practice within the decontamination environment so that controls or adjustments can be put in place. Exposure to causative agents of occupational asthma (exposure to chemicals such as peracetic acid may require employees to undertake lung function tests) and new damage or escalation of existing condition in employee’s skin must be reported immediately to prevent increased risk of exposure from blood/body fluids and/or decontamination and environmental chemicals in use. Guidance from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and NHS Plus, Royal College of Physicians, Royal College of Nurses and Faculty of Occupational Medicine is available xiii—xxviii . Employees with signs and symptoms of infection or known exposure/suspected exposure to serious infections must inform their line manager immediately. Advice should be sought from the Infection Control team and the OHD to allow early interventions or controls to be put in place to prevent spread to others in the department e.g. suspected norovirus, TB, COVID-19. All accidents or exposures, including sharps injuries or contamination of eyes or mouth or skin breaks, must be reported to a senior person within the department following first aid. Every organisation must have an exposure injury policy that details the first aid, how to assess the injury and referral to OHD or the Emergency Department (in the event of a high risk injury where they will assess and decide whether post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is required). Guidance relating to PEP for hepatitis B, C and HIV through occupational exposure are available online.

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