The Principles of Medical Device Decontamination

Decontamination of Devices prior to maintenance service or repair

All devices despatched for maintenance service or repair must be decontaminated prior to returning to the manufacturers or medical equipment service staff, to make safe for handling. Manufacturers’ instructions must be followed to ensure effective decontamination of all devices. A certificate of decontamination should accompany the medical device when despatched to the service organisation detailing the method of decontamination used to make the device safe to handle; signed and dated.

Replacement criteria

Where devices are deemed beyond repair or must be disposed of for other reasons, the medical devices group should decide if a replacement is warranted. Needs of the organisation are constantly changing as are innovations in device technology. New models that perform the same function with enhanced functionality may be available and potentially with lower running costs. Opting for like-for-like devices from the same manufacturer isn’t always the best choice, especially as the manufacturer may no longer be in business or able to provide service, support, or spare parts. Users should be asked to provide a detailed justification for replacement and a specification for performance and to always include reference to sustainability and the green agenda. Sustainability and green issues need serious consideration when assessing medical device needs. A formal decommissioning of all devices should be undertaken and documentation showing the method of disposal kept for reference. Manufacturers can provide details of any environmental disposal or recycling requirements. The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations (WEEE) 10 impose certain duties on producers of electrical equipment with regards to the return to supplier. The healthcare organisation will have a policy on handling WEEE and is likely to have a specified WEEE waste stream which needs to be reviewed when devices need disposing of.

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