ID SC 2 0 2 2 P R EVIEW
Driving high standards in decontamination
The IDSc conference and exhibition is taking place on 29-30 November 2022, at the Eastside Rooms in Birmingham, this year, providing opportunities for education and networking for all those working in the field of decontamination science.
The routine undertaking of disinfection, sterilisation and decontamination of reusable medical devices by trained professionals in dedicated controlled environments is an essential measure that manages the risks associated with healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) and ensures the safety of patients and staff. Yet prior to the late 1950s, healthcare facilities in the UK did not have central sterile services departments (CSSDs). While CSSDs had been successfully pioneered by the British Army at home and abroad, it wasn’t until the publication of the Nuffield Report, in 1958, that the concept of CSSDs was put forward as a necessary requirement on a national scale. During these early years of CSSD implementation, individuals interested in infection control began to come together to discuss the rapid developments that were occurring in the sector. In 1967, department superintendents formed the Association of Sterile Supplies Managers (ASSM), the predecessor to the Institute of Sterile Services Management (ISSM), which came into being in 1984.
By 2004, the ISSM had evolved far beyond its original remit: its membership consisted of all kinds of decontamination professionals as well as allied professions, and its professional development training programmes were renowned for achieving and maintaining standards of excellence in the sterile services. Also instrumental in fostering and leading active debate, research and development within the field of decontamination sciences, the Institute underwent an official name change to better reflect the breadth of its work: the Institute of Decontamination Sciences (IDSc). In 2017 the IDSc celebrated its 50th
anniversary. From its initial inception as the ASSM in 1967, the IDSc has actively developed and grown in strength to become recognised as a key professional body in the
NOVEMBER 2022
UK framework that manages risks associated with HCAI in medical devices reprocessing, therefore playing a fundamental role in achieving effective patient outcomes. The IDSc continues to embrace the challenges that arise within the decontamination sector and helps shape standards and practice in all areas of decontamination. Many decades after the publication of the
Nuffield Report, the decontamination sector has come a long way – the reprocessing of medical devices and instruments has become much safer, and it is now evolved into a scientific discipline. There is increasing investment in state-of-the-art units – equipped with the latest automated washer-disinfectors, drying solutions, track and trace software, and protein detection devices. We have also seen the emergence of large NHS decontamination
‘supercentres’. Undoubtedly, investment in technology and facilities has helped to reduce variation, improve traceability, drive efficiency, and raise standards in the sector. However, issues can and do still occur. A recent report by the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch, published in May this year, highlighted the need to “overcome design issues with surgical instruments that relate to decontamination”. This is an issue that has been raised, year after year, at successive IDSc conferences. Sterile services staff need to: l Ensure their voices are heard and be empowered to speak up.
l Work closely with industry on decontamination challenges.
l Have access to ongoing training and education. It is important that the sector continues
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