General Overview

Decontamination

The primary role of an Authorising Engineer (Decontamination), commonly referred to as an AE(D), is to provide impartial auditing and advice on all aspects of decontamination, including cleaning, disinfection and sterilization, of medical devices in the acute sector of healthcare. This can embrace e.g. design of decontamination facilities, specification and procurement of decontamination equipment such as sterilizers, washer-disinfectors for surgical instruments and for human waste containers, ultrasonic cleaners, automated endoscope reprocessors and endoscope drying cabinets etc. Audit of decontamination processes, and decontamination equipment validation and testing reports also are key areas of involvement for the AE(D).  The AE(D) might also provide a similar service to e.g. the primary care, laboratory, medical device manufacturing and pharmaceutical manufacturing sectors.

Health Technical Memorandum 01-01: Decontamination of reusable medical devices - Part A: Management and environment (HTM 01-01 Part A) defines the typical management structure, key personnel and relationships relating to decontamination in the healthcare sector.  It sets out under sections 5.27 to 5.34 the core duties and responsibilities and necessary qualifications for an AE(D).

On the 1st July 2008 IHEEM migrated the register for all Authorised Persons (Sterilisation), which it has maintained on behalf of the Dept of Health since 1996, to the new Authorising Engineer (Decontamination) Register. Click on the Decontamination link on the left to go to details on this and a list of all registered Authorising Engineers (Decontamination).

Health Facilitites Scotland (HFS) has published the first consultation draft of a new guidance document designed to assist those planning and designing new or upgraded Central Decontamination Units, or CDUs. Views on the new document, "Scottish Health Planning Note 13 Part 1 - Decontamination Facilities: Central Decontamination Unit" (online www.hfs.scot.nhs.uk) are sought by 29th October, and should be addressed to Andrew Tweedie MIHEEM, Technical Advisor (Andrew.tweedie@nhs.net)

Medical Gas Pipeline Systems

IHEEM is now inviting applications to join the Register for Authorising Engineers (Medical Gas Pipeline Systems). Click on the Medical Gases link on the left to go to more details about the Register and how to apply.