Water Purity Standard ST108

Presented by Nalco Water 

Speaker: Spenser Johnson

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85231435500?pwd=Qu5SjzfGZrusDa6WEwQveMYimdUSPO.1

987714

ANSI/AAMI ST108:2023 Water for the processing of medical devices

ANSI/AAMI ST108:2023 is a critical step forward for patient safety.

The professionals responsible for the processing of medical devices prior to use are experiencing increasing challenges including: the increasing complexity of modern medical devices with hidden, difficult to access areas (e.g., lumens and complex mechanisms) where clinical soil can become lodged; and the emerging and reemerging incidence of “superbugs” that must be removed or inactivated for patient safety but are able to survive processing in situations where soil removal is incomplete. Any limitation on or diminishment of cleaning efficacy can lead to patient morbidity or mortality and decreased device use life. Water of the appropriate quality for the processing of medical devices prior to clinical use is an important part of the solution to these problems. 

A common factor in the processing of medical devices is the use of water. While medical devices cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) for sale into the health care market have been provided with validated processing instructions and procedures, these procedures may not be completely effective if water of specified quality is not used. Similarly, cleaning agents work better, and devices are rinsed more thoroughly if the water is of the specified quality. Each health care facility may require a specific approach to treating water for processing needs based on a variety of factors.  

Speaker:

Spenser Johnson is the Director of Water Safety and Management at Barclay Water Management, Inc.  Spenser provides expertise on controlling Legionella bacteria in building water systems and conducts on-site risk assessments to develop site-specific Water Management Programs that comply with ASHRAE Standard 188, CMS, The Joint Commission, and other federal, state, and local guidelines. She works with customers to assist with Legionella remediation and offers customized strategies including supplemental disinfection. Spenser is an ASSE 12080 Certified Legionella Water Safety and Management Specialist. Spenser has over seven years’ experience in the Water Management and Legionella Consulting field and has surveyed over 100 facilities for Water Management Programs.