Health Service Executive published its Code of Practice for Decontamination of Reusable Invasive Medical Devices (RIMD) on 24th October 2007. The HSE has published this Code of Practice as a guide to standards and recommended practices for decontamination of RIMD required in the Irish public health service.

What is Decontamination?

Decontamination is the combination of processes (including cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation) used to render RIMD safe for handling by staff and for use on patients. Effective decontamination of RIMD is an essential component in the prevention of healthcare associated infection.

What are Reusable Invasive Medical Devices?

Reusable invasive medical devices (RIMD) include items such as scalpels and scissors are fundamental to all surgical procedures and many medical procedures. Patients undergoing treatment have a right to expect that the RIMD used will be clean, free from infectious agents and in good working order.

The decontamination processes involves working with RIMD that are potentially contaminated with infectious agents. Appropriate control and maintenance of the decontamination environment, equipment and processes is necessary to ensure the health and safety of staff

Every acute hospital in the HSE currently operates its own individual decontamination facilities. In 2006, the HSE operating as a single unified health service set about formulating these national standards in consultation with international experts, key stakeholders and also carrying out extensive literature research.

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