DECONTAMINATION AND STERILISATION
Key communications forum re-established
Graham Stanton (see also pages 18-20), who chairs the IHEEM AE(D) Registration Board, and recently became a member of the Central Sterilising Club committee, discusses the recent re-establishment of the Decontamination Professional Expert Communications Forum (DPECF). Reinvigorated with the help of IHEEM’s head office, which held an online meeting on 17 February to bring together key participants, the DPECF’s key purpose is to act as a forum to influence policy and practice in the decontamination of medical devices across the UK via the various Institutes and professional body members involved. Dr Jimmy Walker, Chair of the CSC, also provides an update on the Club’s recent activity.
In February this year (reports Graham Stanton), we re-established the Decontamination Professional Expert Communications Forum (DPECF), with the firm aim of placing it ‘under the umbrella’ of the Central Sterilising Club for support and membership. By way of background for those unfamiliar with the DPECF, representatives of the devolved administrations and decontamination Institutes used, historically, to meet with the Department of Health in London at regular intervals to report on our performance and any issues. Then, in 2010, the DH decided these meetings were no longer required, and cut links for sharing information and advice to the service across the UK. At this point, a few of us in various Institutes who attended those meetings decided to try and form a forum for communication and keep channels open between the various groups with an interest in decontamination. This is how DPECF initial meetings started – with a
few of us agreeing to meet and set up this group. I was one of the group’s founder members, and was nominated by IHEEM to represent it at the DPECF.
A platform for information exchange DPECF was then formed, with a few individuals to set up a platform where they could exchange information and advice. In recent times this group has not functioned very well, due to the obvious national problems. I suggested that the group could perhaps be re-started under the umbrella of the CSC, believing that could be an excellent pairing, as it would provide the DPECF with a pool of experts to call upon, as well as a vehicle to disseminate information to member groups.
The DPECF’s goals
The goals and purpose of the DPECF include: n Providing a UK forum/platform to influence policy and practice in the decontamination of medical devices via the various Institutes and professional body members involved. If asked to do so, the Forum may be able to advise on policies and procedures in relation to the decontamination of medical devices and equipment.
n Providing a means for professional expert organisations to work together, and communicate on, relevant issues relating to this specialist field.
n Providing support to member organisations in developing decontamination-related guidance and advice.
Dr Jimmy Walker explained: “When Graham Stanton recently joined the CSC committee, he was keen to bring together the members of the DPECF, which presented an opportunity to reach out to the existing representatives.”
22 Health Estate Journal April 2021
n Providing a way for the various industry bodies, institutes, and associations involved in medical device decontamination and their members to support eachother at seminars and conferences.
n Offering expert opinions on technical issues to support interpretation for users and practitioners.
Graham Stanton says: “We are looking to be the key expert group advising on many issues connected to the decontamination of medical devices bodies across the whole of the UK.”
Forum membership
Membership of the Forum has, in the past, been from the following bodies, with other professionals able to be co-opted, as required: n The Association of British Healthcare Industries (ABHI).
n The Association for Perioperative Practice (AfPP).
n The British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG).
n The Central Sterilising Club (CSC). n The Healthcare Infection Society (HIS). n The Institute of Decontamination Sciences (IDSc).
n The Infection Prevention Society (IPS) n The Institute of Healthcare Engineering & Estates Management (IHEEM). n The Chair of the IHEEM
Decontamination Technical Platform (DTP).
n The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
n A Joint Advisory Group (JAG) representative.
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