DECONTAMINATION & STERILISATION ARTICLES

In this article, Tony Sullivan argues that underinvestment in sterile services training is one of the most overlooked contributors to patient safety risk across UK healthcare. This department’s deceptive lack of visibility risks costing the system far more than slashing its training budget will save, he argues.

Naomi Allkins discusses the key challenges facing sterile services departments today, and looks at some of the innovative ways in which they are being addressed.

Jørn Terkelsen discusses the hidden reservoirs of contamination in clinical environments and argues that episodic decontamination is no longer enough.

Chris Helson provides an insight into the arrival of collaborative robots – known as cobots – into sterile services departments. In this article, Chris outlines how this innovative technology could disrupt the status quo and transform pre-cleaning and inspection processes.

Each year, the Central Sterilising Club (CSC) hosts two key educational events – the Autumn Study Day and the Annual Scientific Meeting. CSJ takes a look at the highlights of the CSC’s most recent event and provides an insight into what’s coming up next…

For many years, sterile services departments have relied on a comforting assumption: if an instrument appears clean, has followed the appropriate decontamination process, and has been sterilised according to validated procedures, it is safe for use. That assumption is now being quietly but consistently challenged. Dan Coole provides an insight.

The Institute of Decontamination Sciences recently announced a new chair in November 2025. The Clinical Services Journal spoke to Dean Burand about his plans for both the Institute and the decontamination sector. High on the agenda was the need for promoting inclusivity, collaborative networks, and investment in education.

Getting automated probe decontamination right is vital for patient safety and to protect equipment. Nanosonics outlines some key points to be aware of, to ensure the safe decontamination of ultrasound probes.

Alex Prior explains why flexible traceability systems are integral to patient safety. In this article, Alex highlights how the Royal United Hospital has driven improvement.

Paul Chivers of PCC Sustainable Solutions – an independent SME and Programme / Project manager for innovation and sustainability across PPE, medical devices, and facilities, discusses recent work to examine, and then verify, the effectiveness of novel ways to reprocess reuseable anaesthetic masks, other PPE, and medical devices, using technologies such as UVC, in the process considerably reducing energy and water consumption across the NHS.

Major changes are ahead for the decontamination sector – with a new National Decontamination Strategy for the UK and move to circularity under the Design for Life programme, which will mean extra demand being placed on reprocessing services. It has been a big year for IDSc and this year’s congress will provide some vital insights into the changes.

Scotland’s Medical Device Decontamination seminar returned to the Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel in May 2025. Gillian McIntosh, Trainee Technical Advisor (Decontamination), NHSScotland Assure, provides an overview of the day.

High on the agenda at the Central Sterilising Club’s Annual Scientific Meeting was the theme of “risk and revolution”. How should we review current approaches, drive innovation, and ensure patient safety? What questions should we ask, when implementing ‘a revolution’, and what are the challenges that we need to overcome? Louise Frampton reports.

In light of the call for a return to activity-based payment mechanisms, Trusts must focus on one crucial area: accurately coded data. Adrian Jones explores how correct coding will be key to maximising NHS income, ensuring proper payments under future activity-based models, and facilitating crucial reforms in line with the 10-Year Health Plan.

The Central Sterilising Club’s Annual Scientific Meeting explored “risk and revolution” in endoscope reprocessing and highlighted some of the innovation taking place in the sector. Louise Frampton provides an insight into some of the key discussion points.

STERIS provides an insight into how it empowers safer healthcare through education and inclusive development pathways.

Could on-demand services play a pivotal role in future-proofing endoscopy workflows? A new model for loan endoscopes has been launched in Australia and has the potential to be rolled out across the globe, in the near future. This article looks at how the initiative aims to maintain high infection control standards, while reducing operational burdens.

The Institute of Decontamination Sciences’ annual scientific conference took place at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel, bringing together decontamination scientists and experts from across the UK. IDSc Chair, Trevor Garcia, emphasised the vital need for education for the decontamination sector and the importance of attending events such as the annual conference.

Nanosonics provide an insight into high-level disinfection of ultrasound probes, including the important factors that need to be taken into consideration to ensure effective results. In this article, they highlight the latest innovative technology that can help protect patients, staff and your equipment.

Sojin Mappidecheri, Tom Brophy and Jonathan Reeves discuss the findings of an in-house quality assurance programme at Barts Health NHS. They highlight the importance of ensuring the correct sizing of surgical instruments and discuss the need to move to a standardised approach to measuring instrument dimensions, across the industry.