DR WEIGERT UK LTD has recently been highlighting the cost implications, as well as health and safety implications, arising from unresolved material changes which can occur during an instrument decontamination cycle.
Based on evidence sourced from Dr Weigert’s technical support division, the main reason for a compromised decontamination cycle is material change going unresolved. It is a common problem, that can be addressed with the correct technical support. The company has published a brochure called Safe Re-Processing of Medical Devices on its website – www.drweigert.com – which details the requirements for the cleaning and disinfection of medical devices in line with European guidelines. The requirements are specified for the decontamination and prevention of material change of a range of devices, including surgical instruments, anaesthetic equipment, hollowware, utensils, glassware and thermolabile endoscopes. As part of its standard technical support offering, the company undertakes on-site checks following any material change notification, and looks at the preparation processes, the dosages of process chemicals used or tests to identify coatings on instruments or machines. However, if the problem cannot be identified or resolved, further investigations will continue at its analytical laboratory to offer a solution to the problem.
