Healthcare Hygiene magazine November 2019 | Page 19

➎ Improve information collection and sharing to broaden the use of best practices in reprocessing. ➏ Improve reprocessing competencies by strengthening training, education, and certification. ➐ Create a greater sense of urgency and understanding throughout the healthcare community about the conse- quences of inadequate reprocessing. Soon after the workshop, AAMI issued a technical in- formation report (TIR30:2011) that acknowledged, “There are few tests that can be used to verify cleaning. To verify cleaning of a given device, one must have a test soil and a quantitative test method for detecting residual soil after cleaning. If cleaning protocols that could be used for verifi- cation were in wide use today, they could help ensure that adequate cleaning is accomplished so that a device can be reliably disinfected and/or sterilized before it is used on the next patient. The manufacturer must validate the instructions for reprocessing a reusable device before marketing it. In addition, manufacturers must consider: a. that exposure to chemicals, such as cleaning agents, could alter the material used in the device b. whether the materials of construction will absorb or adsorb chemical agents, which could then gradually leach from the material over time c. how cleaning processes could affect the function of the device d. that cleaning processes and tools must be able to con- tact all areas of the device that could become contaminated AAMI TIR30:2011 represented a compendium of pro- cesses, materials, test methods and acceptance criteria for cleaning reusable medical devices that remains an essential roadmap for reaching the destination of “clean” devices. However, one of the best documents to follow, according to Susan Klacik, clinical educator at IAHCSMM, is AAMI’s standard on flexible endoscope processing, ANSI/AAMI ST91:2015 Flexible and semi-rigid endoscope processing in healthcare facilities. This standard has been under review since its original publication, Klacik says, and the committee hopes to have the revision completed in 2020. Klacik adds that it is essential for SPDs to double-check their scopes: “Use a borescope and other cleaning verification products,” she advises. “Perform competency reviews on all scopes by all staff members that process the scopes.” Industry is also wrestling with the recommendation that scopes should be sterilized going forward. “In 2017 AAMI held a scope stakeholders meeting with leading experts in the infection prevention, sterilization, disinfection and endoscope field,” Klacik says. “The consensus was to transition semi-critical items to sterilization. This is intended to be a gradual transition, as it cannot occur quickly since many processes need to be in place.” Until then, ANSI/AAMI ST91:2015 Flexible and semi-rigid endoscope processing in healthcare facilities, remains a go-to document for guidance. AAMI TIR30:2011 reminds us that, “Cleaning is normally accomplished by manual wiping, brushing, or flushing or by using mechanical aids (e.g., ultrasonic cleaners, washer–de- YOUR SAFETY ASSURANCE POLICY. How often do you change your privacy curtains and can you validate the exchange? Curtains are often infected with MRSA, C. diff and VRE after just 2 weeks! INFECTION CONTROL CLINICAL EDUCATION POLICIES & PROCEDURES SPD PROCESS IMPROVEMENT Our Compliance Software supports your infection prevention protocols, providing data on all exchanges including ISO, in real time. 2:30 PM 55% Scan ONE CURTAIN SCAN BED Headwall 04:b2:39:8a:27:49:80 2 New curtain 04:2f:37:8a:27:49:81 Installed: Term: [email protected] #WEFIGHTDIRTY www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com • november 2019 Click here to request a free online demo Current curtain 04:4d:38:8a:27:49:81 1 3 CALL TODAY: 512-589-5168 BEYONDCLEAN.NET TAG INFO CONTINUE 4 01 Dec 2018 30 Jan 2019 SKIP THIS STEP Save transaction 19