[Sue Finch]

Hi Maree

I too have been around for many years in the Theatre and then into the CSSD and more recently in Infection Prevention and Control arena. Whilst I appreciate the rationale for the need for single use items and agree with the list you mentioned I too have a real concern for the ever increasing push to single use especially non critical items such as curtains and wonder where will it end? I am of the opinion there is a place for both single use and reusable products in our industry but we need to be more responsible in the choices we make and consider the impact these choices will make on future generations.

Just a foot note these days the advances in technology mean water savings, recycle programs and add to that highly sophisticated machines with power saving attributes the environmental footprint generated in the reprocessing is minimal in the modern laundry.

Clinical Nurse Consultant

Somaia Group

45 Holloway Drive Bayswater. Vic. 3153

M: 0419306845

E:sfinch@simbatex.com.au

Hi Marie

Great questions to ask. I would also like to point out that reusable curtains that require regular laundering or dry cleaning also have an environmental footprint, and this must be taken in consideration when looking at environmental impacts. Since this is often outside of the health facility, sometimes it is left out of the discussions. Laundries in particular are great users of energy and their environmental impact is massive.

Cheers

Michael;

Michael Wishart

Infection Control Coordinator

Holy Spirit Northside Private Hospital

627 Rode Road, Chermside, Qld 4032

t: (07) 3326 3068 | f: (07) 3607 2226

e: Michael.Wishart@hsn.org.au

w: http://www.holyspiritnorthside.org.au

Please consider the environment before printing this email

I have been following the conversation in this thread and would like to raise an issue/question

My organisation is constantly looking at ways to reduce its environmental footprint.

We are a member of the Victorian Green Health Round Table Group, which provides a forum of information sharing for member organisations related to environmental concerns.

One key activity undertaken by this group is comparing waste volumes generated with the goal to reduce.

One of the major changes in providing health services since I began nursing (which was a good few years ago) is the increasing use of disposable items; from kimguard wraps, surgical drapes, suction tubing, endotracheal tubes, and surgical glovesthe list goes on.

Some of these are absolutely no-brainers when it comes to rationale.

Disposable curtains are large and take up a lot of space in a bin, hence in landfill, prior to breaking down.

How do organisations who use disposable curtains weigh up this issue in contrast to the infection control risk related to privacy screens?

Maree Sommerville

Infection Control Coordinator

Mercy Hospital for Women

Heidelberg

(03) 8458 4759

_____

Hi All,

Have a small issue Disposable curtains/screens!

Would appreciate feedback from areas that are using the disposable curtain/screens in their facilities

The issue is around cost of linen vs disposable curtains/screens.

We have trialed & like what we have but those who watch the pennies are questioning their use.

Originally we brought them into our ED because the poor terminal cleaning staff were frantic with attending the cleaning ( which involves the replacement of curtains).

The NUM of ED was indicating at this particular incident -that there were three ambulances waiting to off load patients onto ED beds which were being held up by the terminal cleaning required.

Amongst other actions taken regarding this issue in ED-was the implementation of the disposable curtains.

Now the question being asked is who else in other health areas has disposable curtains/screens & where are they ( ie high risk areas).

Much appreciate any assistance with this.

Thank you

Vicki Denyer

Clinical Nurse Consultant | Infection Prevention & Control Unit
Lismore Base Hospital
Tel 02 6620 2385 | vicki.denyer@ncahs.health.nsw.gov.au

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[Sue Finch]

Hi Jenny

As Brand names are discouraged from being used in this forum I will be very
generic so hope it is understandable.

I suspect you have already had a look at this online instructional video for
the mechanical device you refer to, but if not I have included the link for
you and others to look at.
http://legacy.minntech.com/medivators/resource/video/scope-buddy.htm.

This is an American product and as such some of the language and practices
in the video are not reflective of our National Endoscopy Guidelines, such
as leaving the decontaminated tubing full of disinfectant attached to the
machine to soak for extended periods or as an alternative rinsed tubing can
be hung to dry.

GENCA guidelines -Infection Control in Endoscopy Guidelines states
-cleaning adaptors and flushing systems must be sterilised via steam or
approved low temperature equivalent or at least thermally disinfected after
each use. I would suggest leaving tubing soaking for an extended period of
time would pose Infection Prevention risks particularly any of the
resistive water borne microorganisms. If the manufacturer is suggesting the
tubing be disinfected in accordance with routine disinfection instructions
after each use then that would make more sense, however this would require
enough tubing to allow cleaning, rinsing and disinfecting for each scope.

The disinfectant that the manufacturer is using in the video is
glutaraldehyde, so assume a similar glutaraldehyde chemical is being used in
your department. Glutaraldehyde 2% is an approved TGA high level
disinfectant but no where can I find the efficacy of items after prolonged
soaking which suggests that this is not its intended use. Plenty of
information however out there about the hazards associated with the use of
glutaraldehyde which is a concern.

I would suggest the sterilization of the tubing via low temperature or steam
after each use or the cleaning and high level disinfection then rinsing in
between use. I would be asking the manufacturer to supply instructions on
how these reusable medical devices should be appropriately processed for
reuse. If they cannot supply them to you then you can notify the TGA and
report this as this is a mandatory requirement of manufacturers and also
Sponsors of Overseas manufactures (suppliers) of Reusable Medical
Devices(RMD). But in the interim obviously disinfection via soaking is the
only option recommended by the manufacturer so according to GENCA
guidelines it must e performed in between each use and must be subject to
the same requirements of documentation as required for the scope. For
terminal processing I would suggest the tubing be thoroughly dried in a
drying cupboard (not air dried)before storing in a manner that prevents
contamination.

Regards

Sue Finch

Nurse Consultant

Infection Prevention & Control

Sterilizing Services

P: 0419306845

E: suzef@bigpond.net.au

Of Jenny McCarthy

Dear all

We have recently put a “scope buddy” in our endoscopy area (a device that
automatically flushes the scope prior to putting in the AFER) . My concern
is the suppliers have told the endoscopy staff that “other hospitals” leave
the tubing attached to the scope buddy with the low level instrument grade
disinfectant through the tubing.

The tubing is reusable and staff have set up a system where the tubing sits
in the disinfectant until the next list. Any comments?

Thanks
Jenny
Jenny McCarthy
OR Manager/Infection Prevention and Control Coordinator
Maryvale Private Hospital

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[Sue Finch]

Hi Jennifer

Yes the standards do require that shelving is 250mm from the floor and 440mm
from ceiling and light fittings to allow free circulation of air, prevent
heating from light fittings and of course allows the cleaning of the store
room floor as well. The draft of the new AS 4187 standard just emphasises
the critical points of being far enough away from the ceiling, walls and
floor to allow cleaning without compromising stock, allow adequate
circulation of air and stock is prevented from being crushed, bent or
punctured etc As for the materials for the storage shelves, AS 4187-2003
suggests the ideal materials are stainless steel, chromium plated or plastic
coated mesh because they avoid the collection of dust and are easily
cleaned, but smooth laminated surfaces are also acceptable providing that
they are kept free from dust and vermin. The important facts for storage
surfaces is that they are easily cleaned, maintains the stock in a cool and
dry condition, does not compromise stock sterility and is used for the
dedicated purpose of sterile stock storage.
Hope this helps

Sue Finch
Nurse Consultant Infection Prevention

—–Original Message—–
Of Jennifer Cartwright

Dear all,

I am currently researching current standards for storing sterile reusable
medical devices RMD’s. AS4187 standards require RMD’s to be stored 250mm off
the floor, require good ventilation, easily cleaned smooth surfaces,
temperature control and a dedicated area. The containers the instruments are
placed in are also to be easily cleaned and no rough edges etc. I was of the
opinion that the storage containers should be open wire baskets, however I
can’t find a source for this and wanted to see if anyone knew where I can
find the standards required by the health department? Furthermore should the
shelving be open wire shelving as well. I have not been able to find any
source that specifically states what type of system is required.

Kind regards

Jennifer Cartwright
Infection Control
Eye Surgery Foundation
Perth WA

Sent from my iPad
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