Ensuring safety in endoscope reprocessing

Hospitals rely on Peracetic Acid (PAA) for the decontamination of medical instruments. This is an essential task for patient safety and requires workers to use high concentrations in sterilisation equipment. However, in the event of exposure, breathing PAA can irritate the lungs – causing coughing and/or shortness of breath. Higher exposures can cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs, or pulmonary oedema (a medical emergency), while high or repeated exposure may also affect the liver and kidneys.

Best practice guidance, from the Royal College of Physicians’ Joint Advisory Group (JAG) on GI endoscopy, includes the requirement for a monitoring system to prevent over-exposure to PAA. To ensure compliance with JAG accreditation, the Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (HHFT) installed ChemDAQ’s peracetic acid vapour monitoring system, from sole UK distributor iM Med – ensuring the safety of staff at all times. 

In addition to the monitoring system, iM Med also provided the Trust’s Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital with a costsaving service and maintenance contract and type tested chemistry for its endoscope washer-disinfectors (EWDs).