The Principles of Medical Device Decontamination

During the cleaning and disinfection process, typically using automated washer disinfectors, consideration should be given to optimise the cycle parameters, the effective use of water, use of concentrated detergents and looking at the efficient loading of cycles to maximise the load. The sources of power for the machines should include, where possible, renewable energy sources. This is also the case for sterilisation which typically involves the use of Sterilisers that employ steam or chemical disinfection requiring electricity. Sterile barrier systems used for the packaging of medical devices prior to sterilisation will require disposal and this waste generation can be one of the most significant waste streams from a decontamination service. Waste recycling should be actively considered, and where safe and feasible, traditional clinical waste streams— often reliant on high temperature incineration and associated with substantial energy consumption—should be replaced with more environmentally friendly disposal methods. In endoscopy the sustainability agenda is striving toward reducing emissions. Joint Advisory Group (JAG) has a ‘green endoscopy network’ 19 and has set GRS standard 1.9 “The service has a green endoscopy working group to reduce the environmental impact of the service and initiates at least one environmental initiative.” BSG iii have also produced a consensus statement on practical measures for environmental sustainability in endoscopy 20 . The Centre for Sustainable Healthcare have developed ‘The Networks Platform’ 21 where different disciplines can learn and share resources relating to sustainability in their area. All new builds and any refurbishment in decontamination services should now be focusing on reducing carbon emissions to zero. New technologies are in development for recycling, upcycling, and repurposing products used in decontamination services e.g. metals, drapes, gowns, plastics. Some leading manufacturers in

iii For more sustainability educational resources from BSG visit BSG Web Education.

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