The challenges facing sterile services departments will be high on the agenda at this year’s annual IDSc Congress. The event, which will feature leading experts from the decontamination sector, will take place on Monday 24th - Wednesday 26th November at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole.
Major changes are ahead for the decontamination sector – with a new National Decontamination Strategy for the UK and move to circularity under the Design for Life programme, which will mean extra demand being placed on reprocessing services. It has been a big year for IDSc, and this year’s Congress will provide some vital insights into the changes.
IDSc has contributed to the development of a roadmap to help deliver the vision for sustainable healthcare. By 2045, the plan is that the UK will have transitioned away from all avoidable single-use MedTech products towards a functioning circular system, safely transforming the sector to deliver enhanced resilience, increased economic growth, better value for patients and the NHS, and minimised environmental impacts.
Decontamination departments will have a pivotal role in the delivery of this plan, as it will require a move away from single-use to reusable, wherever possible. However, the Department of Health and Social Care has recognised that, in order to deliver this plan, there will need to be increased decontamination capacity. Due to years of underinvestment and the state of surgical waiting lists (following COVID-19), sterile services do not have the staff or resources to meet the increase in demand that the strategy will require, so funding is expected to be made available to underpin the circular approach.
“The plan will mean considerable changes in the way we work. The UK is looking to move back to reusable instruments, which is basically moving back to the 1980s and 90s. This will include things like suture packs, maternity dressing packs, and anything where disposable instruments are used. This project will be part of a national decontamination strategy,” said Trevor Garcia.
“We have successfully brought the national decontamination strategy forward by three years, due to the urgent need,” he added. “Our surveys have shown that most sterile services departments are working at 80-90% capacity, which means that they would not be able to cope with the increased workload.
“The IDSc is working with the Department of Health and Social Care to identify the needs and requirements. For example, there will need to be an education programme for clinical teams, as the move to reusables will mean new approaches and systems. Many younger clinicians will be used to simply throwing away devices."
Earlier this year, IDSc and AfPP also announced that they have collaborated to review and update the national guidance on the management of loan sets and individual reusable medical devices. This joint effort has led to the publication of a comprehensive and practical document: Loan Set Management and Individual Medical Devices - Principles Between Suppliers/Manufacturers, Theatre Departments and Decontamination Units. This will also be discussed during the sessions at IDSc Congress.
The 2025 programme will include:
Monday 24 November
- Career pathway, Progress on University Decontamination Degree, Health Care Scientist: Graham Willson & Romeo Macaru.
Tuesday 25 November
- Update on standards and best practices for processing Loan trays: Lindsey Keeley AfPP
- Updated survey on processing loans: Sharon Fox & John Prendergast (AE(D))
- Risk assessment strategies for accepting non-UK sterilisation: Darren Carter & Jack Walters
- The Great Debate: What’s the risk around off label use (not being used for their intended purpose) - market research: Ben Carter, Sarah Marshall, Andrew Bent, J Prendergast & Rob Hartley
- Sterilisation of Flexible scopes, Gaps in Microbiology testing and risks: Celine Herra
Wednesday 26 November
- HTMs - From what was, to what is, to what can be?: John Prendergast (AE(D)) & Josh Crosley
- Design for life and decontamination Strategy: Lauren Matthews & Susan Peirce
- Sustainability Sterile Barriers systems: Joy Markey (STERIS) & Dr. Gerhard Kirmise
- Tray wraps vs containers, thoughts around using reusable linen: Paul Pearson
To register and view the latest programme, visit https://idsc-uk.co.uk/news-and-events/
