Contribute to the safe use of medical devices in the perioperative environment
Overview
This standard covers the safe use of medical devices in relation to the maintenance of asepsis, the control of cross-infection, decontamination and sterilisation processes within the perioperative care environment.
All actions and decisions should be carried out in accordance with current legislation, organisational policies, clinical protocols, and professional standards.
Users of this standard will need to communicate effectively to meet individuals' needs and wishes and work in line with health and safety legislation, policy and practices
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
P1. identify and agree the roles and responsibilities of yourself and others in contributing to the safe use of medical devices in the perioperative environment
P2. check, handle and store packs delivered from sterile services or the manufacturer in the agreed place and record delivery in the appropriate documentation
P3. use packs in strict rotation and report shortages of supplies to the appropriate person
P4. check equipment, instruments and soft pack items and confirm they are free from damage
P5. recognise when a sterile pack is unsuitable for use, return the pack to the appropriate department or manufacturer and complete the appropriate documentation
P6. check instrument trays before and after use with a designated person, confirming that they contain the specified items and complete required documentation
P7. report any missing equipment to an appropriate person.
P8. collect, sort and store used items to be decontaminated and sterilised in accordance with workplace procedures
P9. place empty pack containers, trays and used medical devices in the appropriate place for collection
P10. account for disposable items and dispose of them in accordance with organisational policy and procedures
P11. ensure that the requirements of the traceability systems are met
P12. complete all relevant documentation required for contributing to the safe use of medical devices in the perioperative environment
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
K1. the current legislation, local guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols which are relevant to your work practice and to which you must adhere
K2. the scope and limitations of your own competence, responsibilities and accountability as it applies to your job role
K3. how to access and interpret all relevant work instructions and information
K4. specific procedures for reporting issues which are beyond your competence, responsibilities and accountability
K5. the hazards and risks which may arise during the execution of your work role and how you can minimise these
K6. the correct use of any equipment and Personal Protective Equipment, PPE, to protect the health and safety of you and others and the potential consequences of poor practice
K7. decontamination and sterilisation processes
K8. how to recognise that a theatre tray or supplementary equipment and packs are sterile
K9. how to inspect the integrity of equipment, instruments and soft packs, and the types of damage and faults to look out for
K10. where and how to dispose of used, dirty and damaged equipment, instruments and soft packs, (both re-usable and single-use)
K11. methods for sorting and disposing or storing of contaminated and non-contaminated equipment prior to processing
K12. the importance of reporting damaged or missing items, and procedures for doing this
K13. the importance of traceability systems for theatre instruments
K14. how to complete reports and records in accordance with organisational requirements