WFHSS World Federation for Hospital Sterilization Sciences

Dear all Our chilean colleagues with the organizing and scientific committee are working to welcome them with open arms in the beautiful city call the star of the south of the world, Santiago de Chile. If you travel to the congress, it is important that you know the information about whether you need a visa or another information click here 👇🏻 https://lnkd.in/eDNKPvrS

WFHSS Regulations and standards The texts governing medical devices reprocessing and education activities may be grouped in 3 categories : • Regulation (or legislation) : Published by govermental bodies, they are of compulsory application. They can be national like in the USA1 or supra-national like in the European Union2. Example of key regulatory aspects pertaining to medical device reproccessing are the obligations for Medical Device Manufacturers to provide reprocessing instructions, for Healthcare facilities to report incidents related to Medical Device including those related to reprocessing. Regulation may also structure sterilization activities in a given country (for example, authorization to open a sterilization department, qualification required to Manage a CSSD, audit rules etc….), The present guidelines will not comment regulation. - Standards (also referred to as norms): They set common expectations on products, services or processes to facilitate trade and enhance end user confidence and safety. Standards can be specific (for example steam sterilization processes or equipments) or transversal (for example, Quality Management). Standards are defined by consensus. Standards can be international (for example ISO), Regional (for example CEN for the European Union or national (DIN, BS etc..). National standards (i.e. applicable in only one country) will not be commented in this paragraph. ISO standards exist for sterilization but not for disinfection. Countries select the applicable standard for the various disinfection claim. (for example CEN and/or AOAC or ASTM) They are generally of voluntary application. Some can be made mandatory by local regulation. In practice, once a standard is adopted, it is convenient and safe for manufacturers, users and health care authorities to seek or verify compliance. When compliance is stipulated in a contract it is binding on the parties -Guidelines (also referred to as recommended practices or best practices) are published by scientific societies, governmental bodies or standard organizations. Standards ease the interpretation of regulation and standards by healthcare facilities and serve as a framework for education programs and audits. Please visit our website for more information https://lnkd.in/e_-ftdRY #wfhssguidelines #reprocessingmedicalreusablemedicaldevices

WFHSS Regulations and standards The texts governing medical devices reprocessing and education activities may be grouped in 3 categories : • Regulation (or legislation) : Published by govermental bodies, they are of compulsory application. They can be national like in the USA1 or supra-national like in the European Union2. Example of key regulatory aspects pertaining to medical device reproccessing are the obligations for Medical Device Manufacturers to provide reprocessing instructions, for Healthcare facilities to report incidents related to Medical Device including those related to reprocessing. Regulation may also structure sterilization activities in a given country (for example, authorization to open a sterilization department, qualification required to Manage a CSSD, audit rules etc….), The present guidelines will not comment regulation. - Standards (also referred to as norms): They set common expectations on products, services or processes to facilitate trade and enhance end user confidence and safety. Standards can be specific (for example steam sterilization processes or equipments) or transversal (for example, Quality Management). Standards are defined by consensus. Standards can be international (for example ISO), Regional (for example CEN for the European Union or national (DIN, BS etc..). National standards (i.e. applicable in only one country) will not be commented in this paragraph. ISO standards exist for sterilization but not for disinfection. Countries select the applicable standard for the various disinfection claim. (for example CEN and/or AOAC or ASTM) They are generally of voluntary application. Some can be made mandatory by local regulation. In practice, once a standard is adopted, it is convenient and safe for manufacturers, users and health care authorities to seek or verify compliance. When compliance is stipulated in a contract it is binding on the parties -Guidelines (also referred to as recommended practices or best practices) are published by scientific societies, governmental bodies or standard organizations. Standards ease the interpretation of regulation and standards by healthcare facilities and serve as a framework for education programs and audits. Please visit our website for more information https://lnkd.in/e_-ftdRY #wfhssguidelines #reprocessingmedicalreusablemedicaldevices

The scientific program of the world congress in Chile 🇨🇱consider the reprocessing of complex medical devices such as flexible endoscopes. We will have featured speakers in this session, Adriana Bulkmans The Netherlands 🇳🇱, Troy Ejsmentewicz Chile, 🇨🇱 , Michelle Alfa Canada 🇨🇦 it is important to be at the forefront of good practices. More information https://lnkd.in/eQ5wfdD3

"Process Validation: Key to Safety in Medical Device Reprocessing" Patient safety in the healthcare field is an undeniable priority. In this regard, the reprocessing of reusable medical devices plays a crucial role. However, to ensure that these devices are free of contaminants and ready for use, it is essential to have rigorously validated reprocessing processes. Why is process validation so important? • Quality assurance: Process validation ensures that each stage of reprocessing, from cleaning to sterilization, is performed consistently and effectively. This minimizes the risk of cross-contamination and ensures that devices are in optimal condition for use. • Risk management: By identifying and assessing the potential risks associated with each process, we can implement effective control measures to mitigate them. This reduces the likelihood of adverse events and protects patient health. • Regulatory compliance: Health regulations establish specific requirements for the reprocessing of medical devices. Process validation demonstrates compliance with these standards and ensures patient safety. Scientific evidence supporting process validation: Numerous published scientific studies have shown that failure to validate processes can lead to an increased incidence of healthcare-associated infections. In addition, international guidelines and standards, such as those issued by the WHO and the WFHSS, emphasize the importance of process validation to ensure patient safety. The WHO specifies that labeling a device as sterile is only permitted when a validated sterilization process has been performed. How to implement effective quality management in reprocessing? • Establish detailed procedures: Each stage of the reprocessing process must be documented and rigorously followed. • Perform quality controls: Quality controls must be implemented at all critical points in the process to ensure that requirements are met. • Train staff: Personnel in charge of reprocessing must be properly trained and aware of the procedures and associated risks. • Use appropriate equipment: It is essential to have high-quality, regularly calibrated reprocessing equipment. • Monitor and analyze data: Monitoring quality indicators allows us to identify trends and areas for improvement. Conclusion Process validation is a fundamental pillar to ensure patient safety in the reprocessing of reusable medical devices. By investing in rigorous, evidence-based quality management, we can reduce the risk of infections and improve patient outcomes. We invite you to share your experiences #wfhssguidelines #processvalidation #medicaldevicereprocessing #qualitymanagement #patientsafety

The inaugural ceremony of our congress will be at the height of this great global scientific event. For more information click here https://lnkd.in/eWuMXarb #congresswfhss2024

Following the line of the article about the Importance of Continuing Education of the Technical Team of the CSSD in which it says Participation in events and conferences: Encouraging staff participation in events and conferences in the sector allows them to stay up to date with the latest trends and developments in the field of medical device reprocessing. We invite you to the Education Session of the Congress in which relevant topics will be addressed. You will also be able to know the scientific works selected as the most innovative . www.wfhss-congress.com #wfhsscongress

Continuing Education: Key to Safety in Medical Device Reprocessing Patient safety is an unavoidable priority in the health sector. In this context, the personnel working in the processing centers for reusable medical devices (CPDMR) play a fundamental role. Their work, which consists of cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing medical instruments, is crucial to prevent nosocomial infections and guarantee the health of patients. Why is education so important in this area? Technical knowledge: Reprocessing medical devices requires specific knowledge about the different types of instruments, manufacturing materials, chemical agents used, and sterilization processes, etc. Proper training ensures that staff apply the correct techniques at every stage of the process. Regulations and standards: Regulation in the healthcare sector is constantly evolving. It is essential that CPDMR staff are up to date with the latest international regulations and standards to ensure compliance with legal requirements and guarantee the quality of services. Risk Prevention: Continuing education helps identify and mitigate risks associated with medical device reprocessing. Trained personnel are able to detect possible errors, prevent cross-contamination and take corrective measures in time. Improved efficiency: Adequate training allows you to optimize work processes, reduce cycle time and minimize resource waste. How to guarantee the updating of practices? Continuing training programs: Organizations must implement regular training programs for all CSSD staff, including theoretical and practical courses. Simulations and practical exercises: Conducting simulations and practical exercises allows personnel to acquire skills and abilities in a safe and controlled environment. Access to up-to-date information: It is important to provide staff with access to up-to-date training materials, such as clinical guidelines, protocols, and scientific articles. Participation in events and conferences: Encouraging staff participation in events and conferences in the sector allows them to stay up to date with the latest trends and developments in the field of medical device reprocessing. In conclusion, continuing education is a fundamental investment to guarantee patient safety and the quality of services in CSSD By investing in the training of their staff, organizations demonstrate their commitment to excellence and contribute to improving healthcare. Being up to date on scientific knowledge is an ethical and professional and organizational responsibility of the health center #wfhsscssd #Sterilization #Patient Safety #Continuous Training #Health

For this 25th edition, we bring you on the summit of the beautiful 𝐒𝐤𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚 ! 🌇 𝑊𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑘 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑠𝑒𝑒𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑑 𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑒. 🔗 | For more information about the program : https://lnkd.in/eZGU9CzU 🔗 | To register : https://lnkd.in/dvzT-u3 #wfhsscongress #wfhss

Call for Application to join the Executive Committee of WFHSS WFHSS renews its current Executive Committee (EC) for the next four years (autumn 2024 – autumn 2028). This is your chance to get involved in an international network of professional experts aiming the promotion of the worldwide harmonization of sterilization departments and of decontamination practices. Red the full letter here https://wfhss.com/