The Institute of Decontamination Sciences conference and exhibition will take place on 28-29 November 2023 at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel - a must attend event for all healthcare professionals that have day-to-day operational responsibilities for medical device decontamination.
Challenges around decontamination persist within the health service as the findings of a major national investigation by the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB), in 2022, clearly demonstrated. The national investigation by the HSIB was prompted by an incident in which ‘black material’ was seen coming out of the end of a surgical instrument. This was later confirmed to be dried blood and, as a result, the patient had to be tested for bloodborne viruses.
IDSc is committed to ensuring the sector learns from such incidents, while ensuring that it continues to uphold the highest standards of safety, efficiency and – increasingly – sustainability. With these priorities at the forefront of IDSc’s agenda, patient safety, sustainability and innovation will be key topics discussed, at this year’s event.
“As the chairman, I am passionate about education and training – it is a central part of what the IDSc stands for. We are here to set standards; to ensure we all work to best practice and to the latest scientific evidence,” comments Trevor Garcia, the Chair of the IDSc.
The conference will open with an update on education and training, and will look at one of the recommendations following the HSIB report: “Safety recommendation R/2022/195: HSIB recommends that NHS England and NHS Improvement develops a competency framework, stating skills, qualifications and professional registration as required, for all sterile services staff, and includes it in Health Technical Memorandum 01-01.”
Janet Monkman, CEO of the Academy for Healthcare will be talking about registration, and a representative from NHSE Estates and Facilities will discuss the document that is being developed to address the recommendations. Helen Campbell will be updating the delegates on the new and exciting Endoscopy Technical Certificate and its planned launch.
Doros Polydorou, Managing Director, EMEA, STERIS Instrument Management Services, will look at Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how it can be used to complement the existing decontamination processes, as well as supplementing staff shortages.
The programmewill also feature a panel of experts who will answer delegates’ questions. Panel members include: Andrew Bent, MHRA, Gillian Cairns, BSi Lead auditor, IDSc’s Darren Carter, among others.
Other key topic areas include endoscopy and the changes in the methods we use to ensure that we are effective in the decontamination of flexible endoscopes. Meredith (Mett) Smart, Owner and Research and Technical Director, 20/30 Labs will be presenting on the final phases of her research and looking at what methods are currently in the guidelines and whether there is a need for change.
Heidi Barnard, Head of Sustainability, NHS Supply Chain, will discuss the implementation of strategies to empower people to deliver on the NHS Net Zero and Social Value agendas, including consideration of the impact of decontamination services.
To view the full programme and to register, visit: https://www.idsc-uk.co.uk/news-and-events/idsc-annual-scientific/
Click here to view the Conference and Exhibition Catalogue
The Clinical Services Journal team will be exhibiting on Stand 63. Visit us to sign up for free regular copies of the magazine and pick up the latest issues.
