Here is a summary of the feedback from the Infection control workshop .

DECONTAMINATION / INFECTION CONTROL WORKSHOPS – Equipment Library Forum 26th September 2008.

PROBLEMS
o Compliance
o Time constraints
o Lack of knowledge/ training required
o Policing/audit/ monitoring
o Whose responsibility? Not in nurses remit
o Staff shortages
o Cleaning processes – confusion over
o Stock management
o Equipment shortages
o Staff think that the library does it
o Inappropriate facilities
o Consumables ie bp cuffs
o Manufacturer support is limited
o Items are just not cleaned!
o Re use of single use item – transfer between patients
o Hoarding equipment
o Poor communication

CURRENT PRACTICE
o Library policies and procedures for infection control
o Use of incident reporting procedures
o Audits of equipment to identify lack of cleaning, missing equipment and adequate resource provision
o Patient isolation protocols
o Clear decontamination labels
o Second clean in library
o Link person on ward / infection control link nurses
o Medical device controllers
o Bedside checks
o Audits
o Infection control road show / mandatory training if attended


NEW IDEAS/ INNOVATIONS

o Single patient use disposables ie buffs, leads and reduced patient contact
o Fully equipped beside provision of equipment
o 24 hours cleaners – housekeepers – rapid response
o More staff
o Equipment design to encourage better cleaning ie less nooks and crannies
o Clear and simple decontamination documents
o Decontamination booths on entrance to wards
o More staff 1:1 patient ratio
o Training
o Standardisation of cleaning products
o Time, money and knowledge
o More funding
o Deep clean teams
o End user training – reinforcement of cleaning policies using competencies

TYPES OF CLEANING AGENTS CURRENTLY USED

o General detergent
o Haz tabs
o Alcohol wipes
o Ultrasonic cleaner
o Steam cleaner
o Tecare detergent/wipe /spray
o Hospec detergent
o Tuffie 5 wipes
o Virosol plus
o Actimax
o Chlorclean