EFHSS Questions and Answers - Question Q00029

To Pete Bobb,

We have been reading your responses re CJD sterilisation. We are in the process of addressing this item where we work and would be interested in any further recommendations you may have regarding

1. initial handling of contaminated items on the surgical field
2. soaking prior to cleaning prior to sterilisation
3. length of steam sterilisation
4. power tools and other instruments that cant be soaked ie craniotome
5. tracking of instrumentation
6. quarantine of instruments
7. disposing of single use items ie incineration

Thank-you for your assistance,
Helen and Julie

Dear,

Very useful information about your questions you can find

1. on this website: go on the homepage to:
   • the ISSM website: you find information under USEFUL LINKS and under PRESS RELEASES
   • the ASTER website: there is an article about CJD problems related to desinfection and sterilisation in ASTERINFO 13 (in English).
2. For the Health Service Circular HSC 1999/178 about vCJD, Minimising the Risk of Transmission, go to: http://www.open.gov.uk/doh/coinh.htm
3. http://www.nurseceu.com/cpu2.htm gives an overview of the nursing concerns regarding the spongiloform encephalopathies

Kind regards
Wim Renders