Central Service - Issue 2/2014
 NEWS UPDATE
- What's New in Standardisation: Caution: Building site
- Hygiene for reprocessing robotic instruments. 9th Hamburg Symposium by the firm Chemische Fabrik Dr. Weigert GmbH
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
M. Emmrich, R. Bloß und H. Martiny:
Glutaraldehyde (GA) Residues in Flexible Endoscopes Part II: Analytical method and factors for detection of GA residues
Abstract
According to ISO 15883 the manufacturer of process chemicals shall provide an analytical method, which shall be capable of determining residues of process chemicals on endoscopes. So far, no analytical methods for glutaraldehyde (GA) are available. Therefore, we developped a user-friendly method to monitor GA residues on endoscopes on-site in endoscopic departments. For method development GA extraction was performed with Water of Standardized Hardness (WSH pH 2 and pH 7) at 20 °C and 36 °C. A total of 60 endoscopes were investigated. Depending on the extraction conditions (pH 2/20 °C, pH 2/36 °C, pH 7/20 °C, pH 7/36 °C), different GA concentrations were measured in the extraction solutions. When the extraction solution WSH is used, constant ratios between the measured GA residues for the different extraction conditions are observed. GA concentrations measured at room temperature may therefore be extrapolated to physiological body temperature. Based on these results we compiled an accessory kit containing the necessary equipment to extract GA residues of endoscope surfaces. Endoscope samples are taken on-site, e. g. in a medical practice at room temperature. After sampling, the test tubes are sent to a research laboratory for quantification as well as calculation of the GA load on the endocope surfaces. In order to assess GA residues the calculated surface load may then be compared to published tolerable contact level values.
Keywords:
Glutaraldehyde (GA) endoscopes disinfectant residues analytical method EN ISO 15883 accessory kit for GA extraction
FROM THE FIELD
F. Deinet, S. Dorsch, K. Fayzullin, W. Herfs, M. Holste, W. Naujok, M. Vitr:
CSSD-Planner An intelligent, electronic OR set ordering and documentation system for collaboration across hospital departments
Abstract
Sterile OR (operating room) sets/surgical trays represent a bottleneck resource in many hospitals. The number of sets in stock and the estimated time needed to reprocess them must be taken into account and managed in a target-oriented manner when planning the operation schedule for a day. Currently, OR staff invest a lot of time keeping track of tray utilization because of the paper-based method used in many hospitals.
As part of a research project, RWTH Aachen University Hospital (Uniklinik RWTH Aachen - UKA) has developed and started to use the software «CSSD Planner» to optimize the process of ordering, sterilization, transportation and management of OR sets between the CSSD and the surgical department. This system is described below.
Keywords:
healthcare IT CSSD management business efficiency communication improvement
DISCUSSION
H. Biering:
The impact of disinfectant substances on residue formation on the surfaces of flexible endoscopes
Abstract
The substances most commonly used in Europe, including Germany, to disinfect heat-sensitive endoscopes are glutaraldehyde and peracetic acid and its salts. There are numerous studies describing the chemical properties, antimicrobial activity, toxicity and ecotoxicity as well as the pros and cons of using these substances to reprocess medical devices.
This paper now attempts to explain the reasons for, and debate, different viewpoints with regard to
• the restrictions imposed on the use of these substances in detergents
• assessment of the protein-fixing properties during disinfection.
Keywords:
disinfectants endoscopes residues
U. Rosenberg:
An issue that needs to be urgently clarified
LETTERS
Are we validating with disregard to the clinical reality?
DGSV
Recommendations by the «Quality Task Group»: Quality assurance in reprocessing (Part 2)
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