Processing prep/package

[Beth]

Does anyone's hospital have a policy about whether or not to wear gloves to inspect instrumentation on the processing side, or are the instruments concidered safe for handling?

[fkrizman]

We do not wear gloves. With the lastest update in AAMI there was an acknowledgement of products to test automatic washers. We have used the Toshi test in the past. It help to make the decision to purchase a new washer. I wish we were wearing gloves prior to the purchase of our new washer. There are many companies that market these at varying prices. Some facilities use them on a regular bases. I highly recommend that if it is your washer or the way you are loading your washer that is in question, you look into these. If it is the manual washing that is in question, decontamination should be done per manufactures recommendation and should render the equipment safe for handling.

[Beth]

Where did you purchase the Toshi test?

[fkrizman]

Sorry, I spelled it wrong the first time. It is the TOSI test. Our washer service rep from Gettinge provided us a few free the first time. Healthmark is where I received my info on them. Our instrument repair rep told us who we could get them cheapest from but I can not find that info at this time. I am told there are other tests and companies but the TOSI test was recommended by both our washer and instrument service reps.