INSTRUMENT STERILISATION AND DECONTAMINATION
Prevention and Control (IPC) team, to create the test scenario, including where to inoculate the anaesthetic mask to simulate real-world soilage. To then evidence effective cleaning and disinfection, post-inoculation (wearing in the real world), I wrote a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on how to clean and disinfect the reusable anaesthetic masks. The SOP was needed to instruct the test laboratory on a repeatable process, which – once proven – would form the basis of the Instructions for Use (IFUs), which, when followed, produce a safe, reusable MD, reprocessed to consistently achieve HLD, in a more sustainable, affordable, and environmentally-friendly process. For the simulated real- world testing, masks were inoculated with Geobacillus spores suspended in artificial saliva, and then reprocessed according to the SOP, which Test Labs followed, achieving a Log 5.3 reduction of the pathogen inoculated onto the anaesthetic mask.
Trial initiated
On successful completion of both the certification and the simulated real-world testing, the trial that was being planned while testing was ongoing commenced in February 2024. The outcome of the trial was successful, other than some anaesthetists commenting negatively on the required rigidity of the silicone reusable anaesthetic masks under pressure to achieve a seal with the patient. The anaesthetists’ feedback brought about the creation, by Mackwell, of a reusable air-cushioned anaesthetic mask, which is reusable 50 times. This reduces waste, CO2
e,
and spend year on year, eliminating some 900 tonnes of CO2
e, and 160 tonnes of waste, annually. The NHS currently uses circa two million single-use
anaesthetic masks via NHS Supply Chain annually,6 which – if replaced with reusable anaesthetic masks, processed using this innovative process, would generate a reduction of 120 tonnes of waste and 765 tonnes of CO2
Part of the certification process For clarity, the products used in the testing and subsequent trials are part of the certification process; hence high- quality Decitex microfibre, both single-use, to overcome laundry issues, and launderable (non-linting) are always used. The PATHISOL or Spectricept Hypochlorous Disinfectant at circa 600 ppm ensures rapid efficacy against C.difficile spores. As well as this development work, there has been work
in the background, commissioned and undertaken by Eco Medic,7
to produce the carbon Life Cycle Analysis
(LCA) of the single-use devices, compared with reusable devices, reprocessed using Hypochlorous disinfectant, microfibre, and UV-C. Table 1 shows that the benefits are significant and independently verified. These findings are replicated on reprocessing other devices using the same methodology.
e, following widescale adoption. Mackwell Health, a division of Mackwell Group, was also formed during this period. Since the first trial, Mackwell Health and PCC Sustainable Solutions have developed reprocessing, with, at, or near, point of use cleaning and disinfection for multiple MDs and PPE, with more to follow.
Reducing the ‘vast numbers’ of PPE products still in use Following on from the first trial with reusable anaesthetic masks and subsequent trials with other MDs, work has also continued into PPE reprocessing to reduce the vast numbers of single-use PPE products still in use. So, given
The first UV-C Minibox installation, during trials by Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust.
June 2025 Health Estate Journal 65
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