Reprocessing of reusable medical devices used off-site

Reprocessing of reusable medical devices used off-site

Practices that perform procedures outside the practice (for example, during house calls or visits to residential aged care facilities) need to have appropriate risk-based policies and procedures that ensure that the sterility of reusable medical devices is maintained during transport to the site.

Sterile and nonsterile reusable medical devices must be separated into appropriately labelled and cleanable containers.

After use, reusable medical devices must undergo initial pre-treatment/cleaning at the offsite location: damp or drying wiping to remove gross visible soil, rinsing, and use of instrument pre-treatment product for transporting.

Reusable medical devices used off-site must also be logged to enable tracing/tracking.

Offsite infection prevention and control protocols must ensure safe management and disposal of sharps and used single-use medical devices, and the use of standard precautions to prevent exposure to blood and body substances.