Point-of-Use Preparation and Safe Transport: A Guide to Decontamination Goals (SPD/Healthcare)

• Goals of Soiled Item Preparation: We review the four main goals of soiled item preparation and transport, including the removal of gross soil, preventing damage, maintaining timeliness, preventing cross-contamination, and keeping personnel safe.

• Preventing Biofilm: Learn the reasons for point-of-use treatment, such as prolonging instrument life and decreasing required cleaning time. POU treatment is crucial for preventing the formation of biofilm, which is an extremely difficult-to-remove colony of microorganisms protected by a gel that detergents and disinfectants cannot penetrate.

• Sources of Contamination: The video identifies the primary sources of contaminated items, noting that the Operating Room (OR) is the number one source, followed by areas like the Emergency Department, Labor and Delivery, Endoscopy, and Cardiac Cath labs.

• Point-of-Use Procedures: Essential guidelines for POU treatment include wearing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), following the Manufacturer’s Instructions for Use (IFU), separating sharp instruments to reduce injuries, and protecting delicate instruments. All hinged instruments must be opened, and all assembled, multi-part instruments must be disassembled before transport.

• Transportation Best Practices: The goal of transportation is to transfer contaminated items to the SP decontamination area without cross-contamination. The best way to transport items within the facility is via enclosed case carts, which should be free of external gross contaminants. Transportation in a hospital often uses a one-way directional workflow, enclosed case cart systems, dedicated coiled elevators, or items hand-delivered by OR staff.

• Safety and Compliance: We discuss safety guidelines for transporting soiled items, emphasizing the need to maintain control of transport carts, avoid excessive speeds, and yield to patients and visitors. For facilities where the SPD is in a separate centralized building, soiled instrumentation may require transportation by vehicle. Off-site transportation policies mandate establishing the quickest and safest route, avoiding extreme temperatures, and consulting US Department of Transportation guidelines.
Education, training, and competencies for POU treatment and transportation must be completed by all relevant personne