sorry to sound thick, but could you post a link re the "wipe" method not bieng validated please.
I am looking at this at the mo, and ive got the Tristel rep coming to see me next week.
Would be good to have some outside info.

With our new decontamination guidelines here the only option is automation - Wassenburg in our case.

Hi Quinny,

The issue around a validated process is for example, akin to your sterilizer processes (in CSSD etc).

The validation aspect is to do with processes that are agreed as time and temperature effective at killing/removing bacteria so that equipment is deemed safe for use.

Automated Endoscope washers or Instrument washers are subjected to many conformance test requirements and ultimately these tests form the validation compliance. As such the results of testing are traceable and repeatable, and to some degree are scientific in nature (Time/temperature hold time = defined kill rate to render bacteria ineffective or Dead!).

So maybe a clean down with a disinfection wipe is not as effective as a Validated automated process?
I'll tell you one thing though, it's a darn site cheaper !

Horses for courses is the name of the game at present and you need advice from your 'micro' guys and IC team so that everyone doen't go running round in a panic. Assess the likelihood of cross infection and consider the type of procedure as to how invasive it is (What micro-organisms live in the body cavity in question for example).

As i have said - just wait and see how these things will evolve in time as standards are deemed to be raised. I think it's a matter of time until validated processes are decreed to exist in a lot more areas than at present.We'll see?
Good luck with it all.
Steve.

Quinny,

Have a look at:
Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) 2010. Good practice Guide: Sterilization. NHS Estates (1995)
and
Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) 2030. Washer – Disinfectors. Operational management. NHS Estates (1997)

HTM 2030 explains all about validation

Regards
Robert

Thanks,
I had the Tristel rep in today to give me a demo of the very very easy way of wipe clean decontamination of the TOE probe that we have. As the Docs wont use sheaths over the probes, it will be left for the nurses to clean all the snot and stuff off it.....Athough i could actually get the Docs to do it as they will be using the bloody thing and it literally is a 2 min job to do.
i have contacted Philips who manufacture the probe and they have emailed me the decontamination recomendations from thier point of view.
However, when i printed it out, it is illegible so i am going to have to trawl through it on the screen.
I will need to train some staff up on this now.....wish me luck!

Quinny,
Do you electically safety test the TOE probes?
In my experience they fail electrical leakage tests if they do not have a sheath on, it is considered as part of the whole?
Micro current electrical leakage right next to the heart - not a thing to be toyed with.
Robert

Hello Guys,

Not my area of expertise, so thank you for all your advice. I had a medical devices committee meeting last friday where i put some of your points and we have decided to buy a washer/disinfector (as recommended by BK). It was much cheaper than i expected. If my memory serves me right - under £3K. (But i expect the company will make its profits on the chemicals)

does any one know where i can source the sheaths for these probes?
Am about to google it but would appreciate some tips.
Ta

Dare I say the suppliers of the TOE probes......
Robert

You dare, but from expeience there is a huge market out there for such consumables and some one somewhere has already done the searching and has come across the best/cheepest/easiest to access to save me the hassle.........


but im going to have to face the hassle arent i, good place to start would be philips.....

thankyou RoJo........