Standardizing High Level Disinfection Practices between Inpatient and Outpatient Areas in a Large Academic Medical Center

Abstract

Advanced medical care at a large Academic Medical Center requires wide use of procedural and diagnostic instruments in multiple outpatient and inpatient care areas. Our clinical staff in 27 outpatient and 27 inpatient areas are often tasked with the management of soiled instruments and endoscopes, such as enzymatic pre-cleaning and a need to use two different high level disinfection (HLD) products in 11 locations. These decentralized high level disinfection (HLD) practices among sites fostered variation in practices and utilization of professional societies’ guidelines. Staff training and documentation of training was also inconsistent.