Decontamination is the combination of processes including cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation used to render reusable invasive medical devices safe, for handling by staff and for use on service users. Effective decontamination of reusable invasive medical devices is an essential component in the prevention of healthcare associated infection.
To support best practice in the decontamination of reusable invasive medical devices, the HSE has developed a suite of Standards and Recommended Practices for Acute and Primary care services.
- Health Service Executive Guidance for the Application of Standards and Recommended Practices for Local Decontamination Units (LDUs) in Primary Care, Dental, Podiatry and GP Practice (PDF, 1.5 MB, 41 pages)
- Health Service Executive Standards and Recommended Practices for Operational Management of Endoscope Decontamination Facilities (PDF, 2.7 MB, 96 pages)
- Health Service Executive Standards and Recommended Practices for Facility Design and Equipping of Endoscope Decontamination Units (PDF, 2.2 MB, 70 pages)
- Health Service Executive Standards and Recommended Practices for Commissioning, Validation and Testing in Endoscope Decontamination Facilities (PDF, 2.4 MB, 106 pages)
- Health Service Executive Guidance for Decontamination of Semi‐critical Ultrasound Probes; Semi‐invasive and Non‐invasive Ultrasound Probes (PDF, 1 MB, 50 pages)
- Health Service Executive Standards and Recommended Practices for Central Decontamination Units (PDF, 1.6 MB, 224 pages)
- Recommended Best Practice for Use of Reusable Invasive Medical Devices (RIMDs) on trial or on loan to / from other Hospitals and / or Companies / Suppliers.