The Principles of Medical Device Decontamination

Training, Education and Staff Competency

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In previous chapters our contributors have introduced a variety of topics which help us understand what factors need to be considered to make any journey through the healthcare environment safe, whether this is as a member of staff, a patient or visitor.

Those working in healthcare environments, those using decontaminated devices, in all the various forms, and those involved in the decontamination of devices, all have a role to play, and all will require a level of education and training.

There should be an organisation-wide policy on training regarding the safe use and management of all medical devices.

Ultimately, it is the Chief Executive who is vicariously liable for all activities carried out within the organisation. This responsibility is delegated to senior officers and down through the hierarchy of management to ensure all appropriate standards are adhered to, and staff are appropriately trained and competent, to carry out the activities for which they are employed. All healthcare personnel irrespective of their role, require, as a minimum, an appreciation of the subject of decontamination, in its widest sense. Those staff not directly involved in undertaking decontamination activities will need to know who is responsible, how to determine decontamination has taken place, for example, I am clean stickers or checking sterilisation indicators etc and take responsibility for ensuring decontamination has been carried out effectively for areas under their control.

All personnel involved with the use, or subsequent decontamination of medical devices, must have received competency-based training and have access to up-to- date manufacturer instructions on which training should be based.

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