Martin Li, MA, CRCST, CER, CIS, CHL
Decontamination is a critical step in the reprocessing of
reusable medical devices (RMDs), helping ensure patient safety by preventing
infections. A key component of this process is point-of-use pre-cleaning, which
must be performed immediately after use to prevent biological material drying and reduce the bioburden on the device. Point-of-use
pre-cleaning includes wiping down the instrument, flushing lumens, and soaking
the device in a cleaning solution to keep soils moist until they can be fully
processed in the decontamination room [1].
Transporting RMDs to the sterile processing department is vital in maintaining device safety. Instruments should be moved in
rigid, leak-proof containers to avoid cross-contamination or accidental
exposure to healthcare workers. These containers must comply with regulations
to safely handle contaminated items throughout their journey to
the decontamination area [3].
At the decontamination facility, instruments undergo
rigorous cleaning processes, including manual and mechanical cleaning in
designated decontamination rooms. These rooms are designed to facilitate the
effective cleaning of instruments, preparing them for sterilization or
disinfection in subsequent steps of reprocessing.
In conclusion, point-of-use pre-cleaning and the safe
transport of RMDs are fundamental to effective decontamination practices. These
steps minimize contamination risks and ensure that devices are properly
prepared for further reprocessing.
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