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Sterile services departments (also known as SSDs and decontamination units) are responsible for the sterilisation and reprocessing of reusable medical equipment and instruments from hospital wards, operating theatres, clinics and accident and emergency departments.

What do sterile services departments do?

Sterile services departments are responsible for sterilising medical devices and equipment. They carry out this task in various stages, which include dismantling medical instruments, cleaning and sterilising them, examining them under a microscope and reassembling them. The sterilisation process allows healthcare organisations to re-use equipment and instruments, which saves a lot of money in the long-run.

Working in the sterile services department

Members of staff in the sterile services departments work to very strict regulations, in order to prevent the spread of infection in hospitals.

In order to work in the sterile services department in the NHS, applicants are usually required to have good GCSE grades and minimum requirements in Maths, English and a Science-based subject. Training is carried out on the job so applicants do not need to have A level qualifications; there are opportunities for progression to management status.

The work of the sterile services department is demanding and workload tends to vary according to demand. This means that it is essential for management to plan ahead and coordinate effective ways of dealing with a surge in demand. The manager is also responsible for ensuring that all work is carried out to the required standards and they must also make sure that all members of their team have the relevant training and skills.

In order to succeed in the sterile services department, you must have a good eye for detail, you must be patient and you must be able to work alongside others.

A typical day in the sterile services department

A typical day in the sterile services department involves a range of activities. Most people start work at 9am and their day may involve dismantling a sophisticated medical device; each piece must be cleaned and sterilised and then checked under a microscope to ensure that all traces of bacteria have been removed. Once the device is completely sterile, it must be reassembled and then labelled. It can then be taken for use on the wards.

Infection control is extremely important in the field of medicine, which is why sterile services must always be abided by to the strictest level. There are very strict regulations in place to prevent the development and spread of infections.

NHS trusts and other health providers employ specialist teams of staff to focus on infection control and prevention. The team may be made up of infection control nurses and doctors, as well as clerical staff, scientific researchers and environmental health advisers.

The main aim of infection control regulations is to protect the public and prevent the spread of infections. NHS trusts do this by:

• Staff are highly trained in infection control and dealing with outbreaks of infection
• Providing information to patients and visitors about infection control
• Education for staff about controlling and preventing infections
• Protocol to ensure evidence-based care
• Model infection control plans
• Constant monitoring of cleaning processes and health environments
• Hand hygiene: all staff carry alcohol hand rub and wash their hands on a regular basis

Tips for visitors and members of the public

In order to prevent the spread of infection the NHS encourages visitors to take a few simple steps to protect themselves and others when visiting patients in hospital or healthcare settings; these include:

• Using antibacterial hand gel, alcohol hand rub and washing your hands before and after you enter a ward or come into contact with a patient.
• Avoid sitting on patient’s beds.
• Avoid visiting if you are ill or feeling unwell.
• Change into clean clothes before you visit.
• Avoid bringing in food that needs reheating.
• Tell staff if toilets or other areas are unclean.
• Tell staff if you see a patient that needs help or assistance.
• Avoid touching wounds or any medical instruments or equipment.

Healthcare associated infections

Healthcare associated infections include MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), Clostridium difficile (also known as C-diff), bacteraemia and glycopeptide-resistant enterococci. The most well-known infections are MRSA and C-diff. MRSA is an infection caused by a strain of germ that is resistant to the antibiotic Methicillin. Many people have the germ without it causing any problems, but it can get into the bloodstream, which is potentially very serious. C-diff is a type of germ that causes diarrhoea in many patients.