Improper Disinfection of Medical Equipment: What to Know

Ensuring proper high-level sterilization is one of the top five challenges for healthcare organizations during accreditation and reaccreditation. In 2013, the noncompliance rate for Joint Commission standard IC.02.02.01 — which requires organizations to reduce the risk of infection associated with medical devices, equipment and supplies — was 38 percent for ambulatory care organizations, 46 percent for hospitals, 47 percent for critical access hospitals and 29 percent for office-based surgery, according to The Joint Commission’s QuickSafety newsletter.

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Ellie Rizzo

The following are six ways to better meet the standard from The Joint Commission:

  • Ensure staff training and competency in sterilization or high-level disinfection of equipment.
  • Make manufacturer’s instructions available to staff and ensure that the instructions are followed.
  • Follow evidence-based guidelines when sterilizing or high-level disinfecting equipment.
  • Ensure oversight of the disinfection process.
  • Follow your organization’s policies and procedures for sterilizing or high-level disinfecting of equipment.
  • Localize the process within the facility, when possible.

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