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Making sure ventilation is effective and fit for purpose

In March 2021 John Prendergast, MIHEEM, an Authorising Engineer (Decontamination), and Dr Jimmy Walker, Chair of the Central Sterilising Club, established, and have since led, a Working Group to review guidance for ventilation requirements in endoscope decontamination facilities.

Here, with input from all the Group’s members, they discuss the work and its aims, and some of the key recommendations to ensure a safe and practical working environment in such settings.

A guiding principle for decontamination is that of standard precautions: any patient must be considered a potential infection risk, and each endoscope and device must be reprocessed with the same rigour following every endoscopic procedure. (BSG Guidelines for decontamination of equipment for gastrointestinal endoscopy). Decontamination involves a combination of processes, including cleaning and disinfection, and/or sterilisation, used to render a reusable item safe for further use. To maintain effective decontamination requires a multidisciplinary approach to the prevention and control of infection, including:

Segregated ‘clean’ and ‘dirty’ areas

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Upcoming Events

The Fire Safety Event 2024

National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham
30th April - 2 May 2024

Wales regional conference, exhibition and awards dinner 2024

International Conference Centre (ICC) Newport
28th - 29th May 2024

NAHFO National Conference 2024

Crowne Plaza Newcastle Upon Tyne
3rd - 5th June 2024

Design in Mental Health 2024

Manchester Central
4th - 5th June 2024

InstallerSHOW 2024

National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham
25th - 27th June

Healthcare Estates 2024

Manchester Central
8th-9th October 2024

Access the latest issue of Health Estate Journal on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

Download the FREE Health Estate Journal app from your device's App store

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