The Principles of Medical Device Decontamination

The Authorising Engineer is a fully independent advisor to an organisation, ensuring appropriate advice is provided for the services within their governance, promoting the highest standards, and escalating any concerns to the executive board of the organisation they represent. The scope of work of the AE will be mutually agreed between the employing organisation and the individual providing services. Routinely they will support the audit process, and provide technical advice, and will review and witness documentation on validation of washer disinfectors and sterilisers. The AE should assist healthcare organisations in the appointments and interviews of the Authorised Person (AP) and their consequent annual assessments. The AP being appointed in accordance with the HTM/ WHTM/SHTM guidance. The Institute of Healthcare Estates and Engineering Management (IHEEM) Registration Board monitors all registered AE’s every three years, with a detailed review of their Continuous Professional Development (CPD) log.

The following information applies to decontamination:

Authorised Persons (Decontamination) should have a minimum 12 months’ experience of relevant decontamination equipment for which they have responsibility. This may include sterilisers (porous load, laboratory, pharmaceutical, benchtops, VHP etc), washer disinfectors (thermal, chemical), and controlled environment storage equipment etc. They should have completed a relevant apprenticeship and/or have completed an NVQ level 3, City & Guilds, or BTEC qualification. They should have completed and passed accredited training courses covering validation of relevant decontamination equipment and attended an accredited training course for the Authorised Person (Decontamination) role. Undertake a routine CPD programme. The AE(D) must be assured that the individual has appropriate knowledge of the role, and the equipment/systems/structures they are responsible for. The AP should have a basic understanding of risk assessment processes, health and safety legislation and regulatory requirements, (PSSR and COSHH) microbiology, water/ ventilation principles, infection prevention and control, and other ancillary services applicable to the equipment used within their organisation.

Where the AP(D) services are outsourced, the nominated individual must be independent of the systems they are responsible for, and must be appointed as

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