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Monitors
for Central Service Departments
Serim recently added the PINNACLE™Monitor for Automated Enzymatic Cleaning Process (AEC) for monitoring the cleaning efficacy of
automated instrument washer disinfectors and ultrasonic cleaners using enzymatic detergents.
A combination of purified
water and detergent or enzymatic products is required for thorough cleaning of
surgical instruments. Any soil and
organic material remaining on the surfaces of instruments can interfere with
the effectiveness of subsequent disinfection and sterilization processes.1
Monitoring and
verifying the automated cleaning process on a regular basis is an integral
component of quality assurance that decreases the risk of surgical site
infection. Periodic testing verifies
that the equipment is functioning properly and identifies opportunities for
corrective action.2
AORN recommends a
test of mechanical cleaning equipment before its first use, weekly during
service and after any major maintenance. AAMI currently recommends at least
weekly, preferably daily, testing of mechanical cleaning equipment. Many
facilities currently verify the equipment daily before the first load of the
day with an indicator on every level of the washer. Some facilities even verify
every load.3
Water quality is an important
consideration in all stages of medical device reprocessing. Poor quality water can affect the sterility and
functionality of surgical instruments as well as the performance and efficiency
of mechanical washer-disinfectors. AAMI's Technical Information Report, TIR34:2007 Water for the Reprocessing of
Medical Devices, states, "Where applicable, monitoring procedures
should be established to ensure the treated water is of adequate quality for
medical device reprocessing." The
report recommends healthcare facilities monitor their water's pH, hardness,
ionic contaminants, temperature, microbial counts and endotoxin levels.4
For over two decades Serim has been developing
and manufacturing test strips for measuring the presence of disinfectants and the
water quality in thousands of medical facilities worldwide.
Serim's line of Water
Quality products include tests for:
References
- CDC Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities, 2008. Rutala WA, Weber DJ, and the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee.
- Clinical Issues: Washer decontaminator/disinfector cleaning validation. AORN J. 2010;91(5):629.
- Verifying cleaning processes: the role of washer indicators. Burke A, Antonucci C., HEALTHCARE Purchasing NEWS, September 2010, pg 40.
- TIR34:2007 Water for the Reprocessing of Medical Device, Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation Technical Information Report
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