Decontamination room

Question 1

Decontamination within the surgery

Answer 1

• Reprocessing should be carried out not while pts are present
• The reprocessing area as far away from the chair side as possible
• Ultrasonic, autoclave, manual washing not be in use with pt present
• Strict zoning of clean + dirty area
• Thorough surface decontamination carried out.

Question 2

Decontamination room

Answer 2

Must be separated physically from all clinical areas (separate rooms) with dirty + clean zones as far as possible. There should be a flow of air from clean to dirty in the decon room - be an active air flow system provided by an extractor fan sucking air out of dirty zone to exterior premises - causing clean air to be passively pulled into the clean zone + across the dirty zone in a one way flow system

Question 3

Work tops

Answer 3

A single work top area should run the length of the room + be long enough to allow the autoclave to be well away from the dirty zone. The work top should be sealed along its length + its surface should be easily cleanable (smooth)

Question 4

The areas should then be set out in following order:

Answer 4

• Set down area for dirty items
• Hand washing sink
• Instrument washing sink
• Ultrasonic bath (if required)
• Rinsing sink
• Washer-dsinfector
• Illuminated magnifier for inspection
• Autoclave
• Packaging + storage
• The dirty + clean zones should be clearly labelled as such, to avoid cross contamination between them