The Principles of Medical Device Decontamination

Endoscopy Staff

Decontamination of flexible endoscopes and accessories is routinely undertaken in dedicated facilities close to the point of use. The majority of Endoscopy Decontamination unit will be certified units operating to ISO 13485 Manufacturing of Medical Devices 3 . This standard clearly defines staff training requirements. In house basic training of staff is routinely supported by the various endoscope manufacturers and also Endoscope Washer Disinfector (EWD) and Drier manufacturers. The Joint Accredited Group on GI Endoscopy (JAG) have developed the Endoscopy Training System (JETS) 4 workforce programme that aims to update the workforce on service developments in endoscopy to ensure a structured approach to training, assessments, and appraisals. It supports endoscopists in the UK to deliver high quality and standardised training. JETS workforce’s online e-portfolio holds endoscopy specific competency frameworks, DOPS, witness statements and reflective CPD statements that combine to create a platform that the endoscopy workforce will be able to use to submit their evidence of their practice. JETS workforce is comprised of three levels. Level 1 consists of two sections (foundation and decontamination), has been reviewed, refined and finalised, with agreed competencies and supporting documents. It is available to all JAG registered services in the UK and Republic of Ireland. A training course has been developed to support the endoscopy workforce completing level 1, named ‘ENDO 1’. The course is made up of two parts, the first part being a half day face-to-face training course which will cover four modules. The second part being e-Learning, developed in conjunction with e-Learning for Health, which will cover five modules.

The users of flexible endoscopes will be clinically trained however, are required to undertake pre-use checks of a decontaminated endoscope and are also required

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