The Principles of Medical Device Decontamination

Decontamination Life Cycle 2

This chapter describes the principles relating to the Decontamination life cycle as shown below. Whilst this diagram was initially created for surgical instrument processing, it can be related to any medical device requiring decontamination. Local systems of work should define how each of the stages will be controlled, starting with the notification of the need for decontamination of a device, (acquisition) to its final return to the user, fit for purpose and ready for use or eventually, its disposal.

As well as defining how each stage of the life cycle is managed, the model also highlights the extent to which decontamination affects the whole organisation and not just those responsible for reprocessing medical devices. The centre of the life cycle highlights the elements which also need to be considered at all stages.

The Location - where is decontamination undertaken? How far away from the point of use is it? Will this delay reprocessing, making the device more difficult to clean?

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