Andrew Ellis1
1Reprocessing & Sterilisation, SA Health, Australia
Biography:
Andrew has twenty years’ experience in sterilisation, including management of two large hospital CSSDs and relocation of reprocessing services to the new Royal Adelaide Hospital CSSD in 2017. As State Coordinator for Sterilisation and Reprocessing at SA Health, his work involves supporting compliance and forward planning across metropolitan and regional government health services, as well as the regulation of licensed private health facilities. Andrew holds a BSc in Microbiology and qualifications in sterilisation and project management and is credentialled at the CIPC-P level. He takes a strong interest in promoting reprocessing and sterilisation at all levels and is President of the Sterilising Research and Advisory Council SA.
Abstract:
Prions remain a uniquely challenging agent of infectious disease due to their high resistance to common reprocessing methods. Australian standards for reprocessing of reusable medical devices do not include requirements for prion inactivation, and research has yet to determine a definitive method.
The presentation will briefly summarise published research focusing on three methods of prion inactivation; enzymatic detergents, steam sterilisation, and vapourised hydrogen peroxide sterilisation.