Central Service - Issue 3/2012
 NEWS UPDATE
- What's New in Standardisation: Simplified Validation
- Cleaning, Disinfection, Sterilization. Report on the DGKH Congress in Berlin, 25 - 28 March 2012
- 4th Heidelberg Sterilisation Symposium at the Academy for Health Professions, 10 March 2012
- Better hygiene through motivated staff. Continuing professional development for endoscopy personnel, Bad Bramstedt, 18 April 2012
- UK: New series of guidance documents for decontamination of medical devices
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
J. Joachim Cantoni, M. Mahwachi, B. Faoro, A. Lotthe, E. Jumas-Bilak, S. Shawky Tous, S. Parer, S. Hansel-Esteller:
Study of sterilization requirements for materials used for patients undergoing transplantation
Abstract
For patients at very high infectious risk, such as haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients, all medical devices and non-critical materials must be germ-free, including the dishes used to serve food. This is usually obtained through sterilization at 135 °C for 10 minutes, requiring a time-consuming and costly logistical process. Prior to relocation of the adult oncohematology ward of our hospital, as well as the reorganization of the sterilization department, we wished to test an alternative method of disinfection for everyday, non-critical material, which might allow the newly equipped ward to process its own dishes. The aim of our study was to determine whether mechanical washing and thermal disinfection resulted in a sustainable disinfection of glassware and crockery, and whether the disinfected tableware could be stored on the ward. An experimental process of soiling and repeat microbiological testing was devised, involving a convenience sample of 80 items. Microbiological analyses were carried out after treatment, and after 7 and 14 days of storage. The results of five replicate tests, conducted under real working conditions, demonstrated that the level of microorganisms remaining after processing in the washer-disinfector was < 1 cfu/site for all items tested. This method can replace the step of sterilization. However, it is not recommended to store dishes inside the care unit because the microbiological quality is not conserved for a definite time.
FROM THE FIELD
A. Thielke:
Surface changes on surgical instruments
Abstract
In recent times there have been repeated complaints about sterile supplies in German hospitals. Medical devices have not been properly decontaminated (reprocessed), something that has in particular jeopardised patient safety. To prevent such incidents, there is a need for regular monitoring of the entire reprocessing chain as well as for a structured approach as soon as shortcomings are detected in this surgical instruments' reprocessing chain. The aim of the present study is to compile a guide that can serve both for consultation purposes and as an action guide for the establishments entrusted with decontamination. The study is based exclusively on the author's own practical experiences and observations.
LETTERS
Are we validating with disregard to the clinical reality? Focus on endoscope washer-disinfector validation as per the new Guideline
EDUCATION
P. Heeg:
Clostridium difficile
RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendations by the Quality Task Group: Reprocessing Transmission Instruments in Dentistry. Continuation of Recommendation 74 - Reprocessing Transmission Instruments
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