Calibration is an important practice that ensures instruments meet their desired standards of operation. To make sure that this obligation is met, standardization bodies have to be set up to check conformity and compliance with the set standards. Therefore, the role of calibration goes hand in hand with the duty of independent monitoring bodies so that assurance and satisfaction can be guaranteed. In this essay, we are going to look at the roles of calibration and Independent Monitoring systems in the UK especially in the field of decontamination processes in healthcare provision.
Decontamination is a term applied in medical services to refer to the processes of sterilization, cleaning and disinfection, or simply the process of eliminating contaminants. Sterilization to be specific in the process of elimination of all micro-organisms, (Lawrence & May, 2003). Significantly, all the instruments used in healthcare service provision undergo thorough procedures for sterilization and decontamination. Kirk & Ribbans (2003), recommend steam sterilization as the most effective process of decontaminating surgical equipment. Decontamination is necessary due to the ease with which infections and other conditions such as CJD and MRSA could be spread from one person to another. According to Ayliffe & English (2003), there is a need to curb the effects of patients’ endurance for verminous conditions and nosocomial infections that are controllable via decontamination.
It is necessary; therefore, for organizations that offer healthcare-related services to ensure that the instruments used for decontamination processes undergo Independent Monitoring System. This statement is justified by Mayhall (2004) who asserts that there is a need to adopt methodologies that would ensure criteria, priorities and standards measure up to the needs of factual uncertainty. According to Woodhead & Wicker (2005), the Independent Monitoring System ensures: instrument calibration, sterilization and decontamination are done to the British set standards. The standards of the Independent Monitoring System for decontamination instrument should be compliant with the European Directive on Washer and Sterilizer and whose installation to the existing equipment be done by qualified Engineers. “Single chamber and multi-chamber Washers can be accommodated, as can any make of Sterilizers with our Independent Monitoring Systems,” (PreSet Calibration Services Ltd).
The Independent Monitoring Systems equipment is supplied to various organizations and the equipment uses a Graphic Recording System. The graphic Recording System holds all relevant data and at the same time the system can transfer information across all networks via servers. This data can reach various outlets’ desktop computers for easy access to both historical and real-time information. According to Chang (2003), in case of system failure, the data can still be stored for a maximum of one week and on restoration, the data is automatically restored to the server. Independent Monitoring System has the right to record washing and drying temperature among other decontamination processes for the Washer Dryers. On the other hand, the Sterilizers have the ability to monitor and record pressure, temperature, vacuum, and time of sterilization cycle. “Calibration software such as CMX can also help with the planning of calibration operations. Calibration schedules take into account the accuracy required for a particular sensor and the length of time during which it has previously been able to maintain that degree of accuracy,” (Engineer Live). The other role of the system is its ability to detect problems emanating from the equipment; for instance, not heating to the desired temperature and supply of incorrect pressures. Also, the system has the ability to indicate either pass or fail reading/cycle that elapses.
The Independent Monitoring System offers equipment that is detachable to the washer Dryers/Sterilizers provided that is a necessity from an organization in demand of the services. Designation of such systems can be done according to the standards of the clients whereas the installation, calibration and maintenance are done as per the standards of the Independent Monitoring System. Maintenance and calibration of the equipment are done every quarter by the Independent Monitoring System based on the quarterly validation of clients’ convenience. Instrument calibration standards should encompass the views of as many stakeholders as possible; for example, instrument developers and observers so that information sharing can be fostered and applied among members of regional blocs like the European Union, (Kaufer, 2008). Calibration does not only ensure the safety of individuals but it is also important in ensuring that the instrument function properly; hence, more productive life of instruments, (Jeremy).
In conclusion; therefore, it is evident that calibration and decontamination processes play important roles in ensuring human safety is not compromised particularly in the health sector. In addition, the efficiency of instruments is ensured. For maximum benefit of calibration and decontamination processes, there must be legislations; set by standardization bodies, to be adhered to for compliance and uniformity.
References
Ayliffe, G.A.J & English, M.P., (2003). Hospital infection: from Miasmas to MRSA. London: Cambridge University Press
Chang, F., (2003): Structural health monitoring 2003: from diagnostics & prognostics to structural health management : proceedings of the 4th International Workshop on Structural Health Monitoring, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, September 15-17. DEStech Publications, Inc
Engineer Live: Improving the Calibration of Instruments Through Analysis. Web.
Jeremy, L.: The Importance of Calibration Instruments in Factories. 2010. Web.
Kaufer, A., (2008): The 2007 ESO Instrument Calibration Workshop: Proceedings of the ESO Workshop Held in Garching, Germany, 23-26 January 2007. Oxford: Springer
Kirk, R.M & Ribbans, W.J., (2003): “Clinical surgery in general: RCS course manual.” MRCS Study Guides. 4th Ed. New England: Elsevier Health Sciences
Lawrence, J. & May, D., (2003). Infection Control in the Community. New England: Elsevier Health Sciences
Mayhall, C.G., (2004). “Hospital epidemiology and infection control.” Hospital Epidemiology & Infection Control. 3rd Ed. Manchester: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
PreSet Calibration Services Ltd. Independent Monitoring Systems for the Health Industry. 2010. Web.
Woodhead, K. & Wicker, P., (2005). A textbook of Perioperative care. 2nd Ed. New England: Elsevier Health Sciences