Leadership
decontamination fits within and the overall healthcare sciences arena,” Garcia commented.
Getting back to basics Garcia believes the IDSc needs to “get back to basics” by setting standards for the industry. The IDSc has therefore been heavily involved in work to address the key issues raised in the HSIB report – action will be taken forward, in the near future, he revealed. IDSc is also focused on providing valuable information for members on subjects that are relevant to them – whether this is sustainability, protein removal, or guidance on manufacturers’ instructions for use. “During COVID, advice was sent out to members on equipment that would not normally be reprocessed, but was required due to the lack of supplies. We will continue to provide members with the latest guidance and advice. This will include guidance on ultrasound probe decontamination, which is currently proving to be an area of concern,” Garcia commented. Garcia revealed that the IDSc is also “driving
forward some important research projects”, led by Darren Carter – who was appointed to the role of director of research & emerging technology in November 2022. Among the research projects underway includes a quantitative removal of protein by washer disinfectors. This project will complete the work carried out by the previous director of research and emerging technology, Meredith Smart, and looks at how the performance of the washer disinfectors is measured as an outcome of protein removal – as opposed to a prescribed cycle. There is currently variation across Europe as to how this is managed. IDSc is also developing guidance on
manufacturers’ IFUs. This project is focused on ensuring that decontamination personnel have an understanding of what the manufacturer is required to provide within their IFUs (as well as the potential gaps to be aware of), so that processes can be followed to ensure medical devices are fit for use and safe for patients. “We are also seeking to improve the communication with the MHRA and other national bodies, so that we are involved in national discussions, and have already achieved some progress. We need to improve our professional image and profile, working with other organisations on decontamination standards – such as CSC, IPS and HIS – and to ensure the organisation is transparent in all its dealings,” Garcia asserted.
In the future, Garcia believes that there needs
to be a cultural change within the sector. The profession must “behave like scientists”,
in his view, and work with evidence-based information. “I appreciate that there isn’t always a wealth
of evidence-based information available, and this is one of the areas that I want to see the IDSc contribute to. Ultimately, decontamination needs to be recognised nationally as a healthcare science,” he continued. “We should be looking towards decontamination professionals being required to be part of a registry or directory, held by an industry body, in much the same way as pathology staff. This is my hope for the future. “If you visit the Wellcome Galleries at the
Science Museum (the world’s largest display dedicated to the story of medicine), you will find a section specifically on sterilisation (look for a familiar face). The Science Museum is aware that the decontamination science is extremely important, but we need to make sure others are aware too,” Garcia concluded.
References 1. Nuffield Trust, The planning and organisation of central syringe services, 1957. Accessed at:
https://www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/research/ theplanning-and-organisation-of-central- syringeservices
2. Nuffield Trust, Studies of sterile supply arrangements for hospitals: Present sterilizing practice in six hospitals, 1958. Accessed at:
https://www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/research/ studiesof-sterile-supply-arrangements-for- hospitalspresent-sterilizing-practice-in-six- hospitals
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