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Let’s elevate the status of decontamination
Training of decontamination staff is vital for patient safety, but can also have other key benefits – including boosting morale and enhancing the overall performance of the department.
Within the industry, decontamination may not boast glamour, yet it possesses a broad spectrum of knowledge. Spanning across microbiology, chemistry, hydrology, disinfection, and sterilisation, its complexity is evident. Beyond the procedural aspects, there’s a labyrinth of machinery to navigate, washer disinfectors, sterilisers, and reverse osmosis plants each demanding skilled maintenance and validation requirements. Amidst all this, the paramount concern remains: the well-being of patients, highlighting the indispensable role of decontamination for providing safe medical devices.
While decontamination departments may not
directly interact with patients, their indispensable knowledge and expertise are fundamental for ensuring equipment is available for diagnostics, treatments, procedures, and surgeries. It’s imperative to elevate the recognition of decontamination within healthcare, highlighting its crucial role in managing and achieving daily tasks to ensure the availability of clean medical devices, essential for saving lives. The provision
of safe instrumentation relies heavily on the dedicated efforts of individuals across various roles in these departments, encompassing managers, engineers, quality assurance personnel, transportation staff, and indispensable technicians. Elevating the visibility of an industry presents a formidable challenge, yet it commences with refining the roles within it. One effective approach to bolster and nurture personnel within a department is through the adoption of Continuous Personal Development (CPD). This straightforward concept entails the ongoing acquisition and enhancement of skills, knowledge, and competencies essential for an individual’s role.
Continuous Personal Development CPD stands as a crucial component across numerous careers, enabling individuals to remain abreast of advancing technologies, regulations, and industry benchmarks. While CPD might be a relatively recent addition to our industry, emphasising the term ‘continuous’
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is paramount. Merely training staff and considering them qualified for their roles isn’t sufficient. It’s imperative to consistently refresh, review, and affirm the importance of their daily tasks and the underlying principles they endeavour to uphold. This ongoing process ensures that they possess the requisite skills and knowledge to effectively fulfil their roles. The responsibilities undertaken by technicians
are often characterised as monotonous and repetitive, a sentiment understandable when performing the same tasks for extended periods daily. However, CPD offers a solution to break this cycle and infuse a sense of satisfaction, pride, and ownership. This, in turn, enhances motivation and boosts performance. Here are several examples of CPD initiatives that can be implemented within decontamination departments to uplift staff:
Expanding knowledge l Engage in online CPD courses to broaden understanding of decontamination, such as exploring the mechanics of ultra sonics, delving into microbiology, understanding endoscope anatomy, and grasping the environmental dynamics of the department.
l Shadow colleagues in different roles to gain insights into various areas of decontamination.
Boosting confidence l Take on new responsibilities, like leading a shift huddle and delivering vital updates to peers.
l Present short sessions to colleagues on topics acquired through e-learning.
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www.clinicalservicesjournal.com I April 2024 iLearn Subscribers (University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust - Endoscopy Decontamination Unit)
Enhancing skills l Acquire or refine IT and communication skills.
THE CLINICAL SERVICES JOURNAL
DECONTAMINATION & STERILISATION
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