[Forster, Catherine (Cate)]

Hi Mary

We have certainly been experiencing them.
After we experienced some in 2017 I went looking and did not really find a great deal seems the same sort of motherhood statements are made but little else.

I did find a Canadian consensus statement from 2007 which might be helpful.

http://www.csao.net/files/pdfs/High%20Humidity%20in%20Sterile%20Storage%20CSA%20July%202007.pdf

Regards Cate

Cate Forster – Quality and Risk Coordinator
Infection Prevention and Control Unit &
Employee Exposure Management & Immunisation Service (EEMIS)
PO Box 52, Frankston 3199

Dear List Members,

Does anyone have guidelines for managing high humidity events in CSSD sterile store areas?

We have found that there seems to be have been an increased number of extreme heat and humidity weather events experienced in Victoria over the last two summers causing issues in sterile store areas and operating rooms in some of our health services.

There seems to be a lack of clear advice on what to do should the readings exceed the acceptable humidity levels in healthcare sterile storage areas. How long can items be exposed to humidity levels outside the recommended range and at what point should action be taken? That is, reprocessing of reusable sterile stock or disposal of commercially processed single-use medical devices exposed to high humidity.

Given the high cost of reprocessing reusable medical devices or disposal of single use medical devices it would be very useful to have a consensus document to guide actions in such an event.

1. Are other health services experiencing high humidity events?

1. Is the humidity level in your CSSD sterile store area monitored and recorded daily?

1. Do you have an existing policy/procedure for managing high humidity events in CSSD sterile store areas?

1. Do you think there is a need for a contemporary Australian document guiding action in a high humidity event?

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this issue.

Regards,

Mary

Mary Smith
Regional Infection Control Advisor
(Working days – Monday to Thursday)

Rural and Regional Health Branch / Grampians
Department of Health and Human Services

21 McLachlan Street, Horsham, Victoria, 3400
t. 03 5381 9703 | m. 0419 447 491
e. mary.smith@dhhs.vic.gov.au
w. http://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au
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