THOUGHT L EADE RSHI P
flexible endoscopes still present a significant challenge of cleaning and ensuring the appropriate quality of the water treatment system i.e. reverse osmosis for the automated part of the cleaning process. Research from Southampton University found channels full of protein, tissue, blood and biofilms which is a concern. There have been cases, although rare, of endoscopy-related transmission of infection and this is an area that may require further investigations to continue to reduce the potential risk to patients. Innovation aimed at increasing throughput and automation is also an exciting field in the sterile services sector, according to Jimmy: “It is going to revolutionise decontamination. It is important that patient safety and staff safety are at the forefront of this innovation,” he commented. He argued that sterile services
departments must not be left behind in terms of technology as there is scope for increased automation and artificial intelligence in the future. In particular, innovation in decontamination technologies will need to overcome the challenges of manual cleaning and issues with incorrect loading of trays. “There have been situations where trays have been incorrectly loaded or even overloaded which can reduce the efficiency of the cleaning of the instruments. Clearly, the manufacturer’s instructions and dialogue
are important,” he commented. Jimmy added that manufacturers need to be aware of how people use the instruments, how they are transported and how they are cleaned and sterilised. We need all the different groups involved to work together which is something the CSC strives to achieve. “All too often, SSDs can be treated as ‘guinea pigs’ for other new technology. While there was a lot of excitement around theatres implementing robot-assisted surgery, there appeared to be insufficient consideration given to how this new high tech equipment would be decontaminated. When new technology is acquired, SSDs have had to ask: where are
About the Central Sterilising Club
The CSC was founded in 1960 by a small group of enthusiastic individuals who were either working in the rapidly evolving central sterile supply departments or were attempting to solve the many problems associated with developing rapid, safe methods for sterilising items in bulk. Its mission remains to act as a club for members and provide opportunities for networking, support and education. As a club formed by multi-disciplinary experts, the CSC has also been instrumental in developing guidance and advising on all aspects of best practice in decontamination.
During the pandemic, CSC has strived to continue with its education and training programme, moving its study days to becoming virtual. CSC continues to reach out to other organisations, bringing more study days to its membership, including plans for a face-to-face meeting on 4th October 2021 at the Crown Plaza in Stratford Upon Avon, with COVID-safe measures in place.
The title of the Annual Study Day will
be “Absence of Evidence or Evidence of Absence?” Peter Hoffman, from Public
Health England (PHE) has agreed to deliver the 2022 Kelsey Lecture and follows a long list of distinguished and eminent speakers. The Kelsey lecture was established in 1980 through a donation generously provided by Dr. Jos Kelsey to enable a guest lecturer of international reputation to be invited to speak at the CSC Annual Scientific Meeting. Helen Griffiths will also present what would have been her 2020 Kelsey Lecture: “40 years in Endoscopy”. The 60th Anniversary Annual Scientific Meeting was postponed from March 2020 to March 2021 due to the demands and restrictions of COVID-19. In light of the situation, CSC decided to move the dates to Monday 4th and Tuesday 5th April 2022 at the same venue of the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Stratford upon Avon. The 2022 CSC event will be a face-
to-face meeting but the aim is to have this transmitted as an online event for members who are not able to attend in person due to the restricted numbers. For further information on the CSC and its activities, visit: https://
centralsterilisingclub.org/about/
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WWW.CLINICALSERVICESJOURNAL.COM
the decontamination instructions? How do we clean, disinfect and sterilise this equipment? For example, if the equipment requires a particular decontamination technology that is not available in your hospital then how do you decontaminate it? “Everyone needs to talk to each other. There is no point in the industry innovating new technologies before they have considered how they can be reprocessed. Innovations that transform the health of the patient are fantastic, but they need to be undertaken hand-in-hand with sterile services to ensure they are safe for patients,” Jimmy concluded.
CSJ
Jimmy Walker
Jimmy is currently the chair of the Central Sterilising Club. Jimmy has previously worked for Public Health England (PHE) as a scientific leader in water microbiology and decontamination, and managed a range of research projects on pathogens such as Legionella spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Mycobacteria spp. He has worked with the Department of Health in developing guidance on the microbiology of water and decontamination in healthcare and has an extensive publication record including his recently edited book “Decontamination in Hospitals and Healthcare”. Jimmy also works as a consultant through “Walker on Water”
APRIL 2021
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