Testing for Decontamination Devices - Essay Example

? Testing for Decontamination Devices Testing for Decontamination Equipment Decontamination refers to the disinfection, cleaning, and sterilization of reusable medical equipment for further use by the staff and patients. Decontamination destroys the disease causing microorganisms that might have adhered on the devices. The destruction of these pathogens reduces the predisposition of the patient or the medical staff to infection. The choice of the level of decontamination depends on factors such as the durability of the devices, the use of the devices, and the microorganisms. The decontamination devices aid in the whole process of decontamination. However, it is necessary to carry out tests on the equipment before reusing them on another patient. Its necessity cannot be underestimated due to the adherence of the microorganisms on the surface of the decontamination equipment. Therefore, testing of decontamination equipment prevents the spreading of the communicable pathogens (Department of Health, 2006). Testing of the decontamination equipment can be done on a daily or weekly basis, monthly basis, quarterly basis, or on a half-year basis. This depends on the equipment in question. Machines are drained and cleaned on a daily basis; to remove the daily load. Protein residue tests can be carried out for the establishment of the capability of the testing devices to remove the proteins. Preventative maintenance is also carried out to ensure that the testing devices are in a good shape and without any malfunctions. Some manufacturing companies provide the instruction that is needed in the cleaning of these equipment. Quarterly and annual tests are carried out by competent individuals such as service engineers in relation to the requirement, which solicits for preventive maintenance. The annual testing is carried out on all the devices to facilitate the annual maintenance requirement (Medical Devices Agency). Necessity of testing decontamination equipment Testing of equipment such as sterilisers is necessary to ensure for the maintenance of the validity of the equipment. The maintenance makes the equipment to be in the same condition as it was during validation. The critical variables are monitored using automated equipment to allow for reproducibility. According to Medical Devices Agency, the maintenance of these equipment allows for the proper functioning of the equipment during decontamination. It also allows for the complete removal of contaminants. Failure to maintain the equipment and these systems leads to the potentiality of inadequate decontamination and hence susceptibility to transmission of microorganisms. The HTM 2030 provides for the minimum maintenance requirements (HTM 2030). Testing of the equipment is also necessary in the prevention of the spread of infections. On the first usage of the equipment, some prions remain on the equipment. The prions may be so small to be seen by the naked eye. To ensure that the equipment is safe for subsequent use, testing must be done. According to Health Act 2006 Code of Practice, most of the physical and chemical means of disinfection or sterilisation are ineffective in the removal of all the prions. Testing is necessary in the prevention of the spread of the infection to other patients or hospital staff (Department of Health, 2006). Testing of the equipment allows for the increased durability of the equipment. Failure to test for the equipment leads to the accumulation of the contaminants on the devices. The functionality of the equipment might also be compromised without the users being aware. The testing allows for the diagnosis of different threats on the device and allows for the maintenance of the devices. The service of these equipment allows for increased functionality and effectiveness in the maintenance. The equipment, therefore, stays for a long duration without having to be replaced again. This saves on costs and other expenses that are incurred in purchasing new equipment (Medical Devices Agency). Testing of equipment allows for the effectiveness of the result of the medical diagnoses. The HTM 2010 requires that the equipment should not tamper with the results of diagnoses. Decontamination combines processes such as disinfection, sterilisation and cleaning. Failure of testing of the reusable equipment causes further contamination of the equipment from prior decontamination. If the equipment is used in the testing of various pathogens necessary for diagnosis, it leads to varying results from the expected. This leads to the posting of wrong observation results for patients in the medical set up. Therefore, testing is done to remove uncertainties of tampering with results (HTM 2010). The frequency of the periodic testing Testing for the decontamination equipment is done periodically. This can be annually, either quarterly, monthly, weekly, or daily. The frequency of the testing depends on the equipment, frequency of use of the equipment, susceptibility to contamination, and specifications of the manufacture. Equipment that are used daily require a daily testing to ensure that they are clean and effectively functioning. A competent individual can test equipment that require special handling after usage. Some companies specify that their products get tested after a given duration. The time specified is adhered to ensure for the effectiveness of functioning of the equipment. A user or a delegated operator who is trained to carry out the testing carries out daily and weekly testing. The testing includes the normal draining of equipment, visual examination of the equipment, and the daily cleaning. The weekly testing might include thorough cleaning, residue tests, and checking for non-functionality. All these tests ensure that the equipment are in good condition for use in decontamination (Medical Devices Agency). The quarterly and yearly tests are carried out by specialised and competent persons such as service engineers to determine the effectiveness of the equipment. The servicing of the equipment ensures that the equipment are checked in all aspects irrespective of whether they are broken or not. The HTM 2010, HTM 2030, HTM 01-01 and DB 2000(02) require that proper maintenance is necessary at this period. The quarterly tests may include automatic control tests, proper calibrations, and all round cleaning. The yearly tests are necessary to check on the whole functionality of the devices. Broken parts may be replaced and the worn out equipment replaced. This annual revalidation requires for the completion of all the available tests. The frequencies of the testing are normal, and the weekly and quarterly testing is emphasised. Daily testing is enough for the equipment used on a daily basis. Therefore, the testing is not too much for the whole process of decontamination (HTM 01-01). Conclusion Decontamination is a very essential process in any health institution. The process of cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation of the medical equipment allows for the killing of harmful pathogens. However, most health institutes ignore the issue of testing the decontamination devices. The HTM 2010 and HTM 2030 provide the regulations for the testing of the equipment before use to prevent the spread of pathogens. This step is necessary in the protection of both the staff and patients. Therefore, adherence to these regulations is a tremendous step in curbing the communicable diseases. Bibliography Environmental Water Systems (UK) Ltd. Total Capability in Water Purification and Water Treatment (n.d.) Are You Ready for It? Available at: http://www.reverseosmosis.co.uk/Documents/HTM0105bookletv2.pdf(Accessed 14 May 2013). Department of Health (n.d.) The Health Act 2006: Code of Practice for the prevention and control of healthcare associated infection. Available at: http://www.neli.org.uk/integratedcrd.nsf/ad39b7c12305db3d802575630061be11/d2fcc2bb62915c3c802571fe003fd6b5?OpenDocument (Accessed 14 May 2013). NHS Estates- An Executive Agency of the Department of Health (n.d.) Health Technical Memorandum 2010. Available at: http://www.gmpua.com/World/GreatBritain/HTM/HTM2010Part2.pdf( Accessed 14 May 2013). Medical Devices Agency (n.d.) Medical devices and equipment management: repair and maintenance provision- DB 2000(02). Available at: http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/hea-db%28ni%292000-2.pdf ( Accessed 14 May 2013). Health Estates & Facilities Management Association (n.d.) Health Technical Memorandum 01-01. Available at:http://www.hefma.org.uk/hefma-consultations/item/health-technical-memorandum-01-01-decontamination-of-reusable-medical-devices-parts-b-c-and-d ( Accessed 14 May 2013). Read More