Decontamination Services

The team in Decontamination Department are responsible for processing all reusable surgical equipment. The service is spilt into two areas, Sterile Services and Endoscopy Decontamination. Equipment is processed by way of washing and disinfecting, inspection and packaging and finally sterilisation. This service is provided for departments within the Trust as well as external practices, such as dentists and GPs.

All instruments are tracked through the decontamination cycle by a specialist computer system called T-Doc which allows the staff to ensure correct cleaning and sterilisation has taken place. This system also allows trays of instruments to be tracked to each patient and procedure, giving complete traceability.

The team consists of an assistant service manager / department manager, business managers, a quality administrator and senior supervisor, supervisors and decontamination service assistants.

The role the department holds within the hospital is vital for patient care in ensuring that all re-usable medical devices are sterile to the level that is required by the British Standards (BS EN ISO 13485). All staff within Sterile Services are highly trained making sure that these standards are met. The staff also are required to know the names and function of all re-usable medical devices that pass through so that they can check for any imperfections or repairs that might be required.