Auditing medical-device reprocessing is crucial because adherence to sterilization and disinfection best practices ensures patient safety, according to an article on the Infection Control Today website.
In May 2014, the Joint Commission issued a Quick Safety Advisory stating that breaches in equipment sterilization and high-level disinfection processes can result in outbreaks of HIV, and hepatitis B and C, as well as the transmission of bacterial infecting agents, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, E. coil, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), salmonella, and Clostridium sordellii, the article said.
Some of the Joint Commission Advisory recommendations include:
• Making sure staff are competent and trained in sterilization or high-level disinfection of equipment
• Making manufacturer’s instructions for use available to staff and ensure that the instructions are followed
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