Infection Control

It is the policy of 1^st Call Mobility that all equipment supplied shall be fit for purpose and possess no risk of infection transfer to the user. To ensure adequate sanitization, and to eliminate cross- infection, the following procedures are mandatory for all staff.

Equipment Supply.

All equipment supplied by 1^st Call Mobility shall be properly sanitized prior to supply to the customer.

Collection of Used Equipment

The conditions of hire require that all items of equipment are returned in a clean state. Where the equipment has been exposed to hazardous materials, including blood and body fluids, other biohazards or hazardous products, it is the responsibility of the user to decontaminate that equipment, prior to return. Part of the returns documentation includes a declaration that this has been done, detailing the decontamination method and materials used. Where, in exceptional circumstances, it is not possible to decontaminate such equipment prior to return, the equipment will not be accepted by staff until a full risk assessment can be conducted by an authorised senior staff member, and a safe system of work devised for that particular situation. This must be documented for each such situation, and staff fully briefed on procedure, before the equipment is recovered. Even where a declaration is made that the equipment has not been so exposed, it shall, as a precautionary measure, be considered potentially contaminated, until it has passed through our cleaning procedure, and is to be handled, transported and stored in accordance with these instructions.

Transfer of Equipment Between Hospitals/Care Homes

No item of equipment is to be transferred between hospitals/care homes unless it has first been decontaminated in accordance with these procedures. Where the timescale is such that it is not possible to bring the equipment back to base for cleaning, (eg a patient is being moved and requires the item on arrival), a clean item is to be delivered to the receiving location, and the used item subsequently recovered.

Equipment Transport

It is essential that strict precautions are taken to avoid cross-contamination of clean equipment. When a vehicle is used to transport used equipment, that vehicle may not be used for clean equipment until sanitized.

	All 1^st Call Mobility staff will wear appropriate disposable PPE when handling used equipment. Once the used equipment has been loaded into the vehicle, PPE are to be placed in clinical waste bags, and may not be reused.
	On arrival back at Baros House, used equipment will be transferred immediately into the decontamination bay for cleaning. In exceptional circumstances, used equipment may be placed in the contaminated equipment storage container to await cleaning.
	All vehicles must be cleaned thoroughly on a weekly basis. In addition, after being used to transport used equipment, no vehicle may be used to transport clean equipment until it has been decontaminated.
	The contaminated equipment storage container will be cleaned on a weekly basis, and in addition, when used equipment has been stored, will be cleaned after the equipment has been transferred to the decontamination bay.

Decontamination Bay

	Staff will wear appropriate PPE for the required task.
	Where equipment is of suitable material and size to be decontaminated in the Aquaphase washer. (This is the preferred method of cleaning and disinfection.)
	Where an item is unsuitable for automatic disinfection, it will be cleaned manually, in accordance with the manufacturers stated procedure. Where no specific method is stated, it will be cleaned in accordance with the 1^st Call Mobility Ltd generic procedure.
	After decontamination, equipment will be transferred to the adjacent inspection bay for reassembly, inspection and packaging.
	After inspection, serviceable equipment will be transferred to the adjacent warehouse for storage. Equipment which requires maintenance or repair will be transferred from the inspection bay to the workshop, and after repair will again be subject to the decontamination procedure before being placed in the warehouse.