Sterile Services Provision Review Group: page 15

NHS Scotland: Sterile Services Provision Review Group: First Report - The Glennie Framework

‘FAST TRACK’ REVIEW: ASSESSMENT CRITERIA FOR ACTION PLANS

1. The standards to be achieved were divided into three distinct areas:

Equipment — compliance with SHTM 2010, 2030 & 2031 (that cover specification and verification requirements for washer/disinfectors (W/Ds) and sterilisers, and steam purity requirements);

Facilities — must have an effective separation of clean and dirty processes with appropriate levels of air conditioning, i.e. a ‘Class L Clean Room’;

Procedures — must have appropriate staff training programmes and recording systems, and a suitably appointed decontamination lead officer. Eventual EN46002 compliance is one end point;

Management — must have appointed senior manager with an overview of decontamination, infection control and cleaning services.

2. The following were regarded as key measures by which the above standards would be assessed:

Local Decontamination Units (LDUs)

By end December 2001 the use of LDUs for decontamination of N&O surgical instruments should end and transfer to CSSDs that meet the above standards. (LDU provision can be retained for ‘dropped instruments’ and instrument pre-cleaning where that was a manufacturer’s requirement.)

In the interim, steps should be taken to improve practice in line with DH NHS Estates ‘Protocol for Local Decontamination of Surgical Instruments (2001)’.

Central Units

By end of December 2001, equipment and facilities must be upgraded (or well on the way to becoming upgraded) to the required standards, and documented staff training in place.

Instrumentation

Additional requirements must be consistent with anticipated activity and turnaround needs, and in line with current instrument costs.

For ophthalmic activity, the aim should be to have all instruments, i.e. not just ‘back of the eye’ instruments, processed centrally.

Interface with likely Glennie Group recommendations for all other decontamination services

Proposals sit comfortably with, and ideally take a positive step towards, initial thoughts on service reconfiguration per the forthcoming ‘Glennie Framework’.

Proposals should demonstrate VFM and minimise possible write-off of short term investments.

SEHD/FD

May 2001