Independent Performance Qualification and Testing
Traditionally, Health Service Organisations have associated Performance Qualification of hospital cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation equipment with the service and maintenance provider. In many cases, this is ongoing. It is true that the service provider knows your machines best from a technical perspective. They are your first port of call if the machine breaks down. However, the PQ process is not unique to any particular piece of equipment. This process is based on the performance requirements as outlined in the relevant national or international standard relating to that type of reprocessing equipment. Regardless of the brand or model of equipment in your department. An expert, independent, Performance Qualification service provider specialises in testing your cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation equipment. Ultimately, this is to ensure they are meeting the performance requirements in accordance with the relevant standard.
What does it mean to be truly independent?
Reprocessing medical devices, whether cleaning, disinfecting or sterilising involves a number of different elements which can vary the outcome of the result. Aside from human intervention, the equipment and consumables used can make a big difference. More importantly, the actual performance of those elements is crucial to the success of any process. To cut to the point, a person carrying out your Performance Qualification (PQ) should ideally be independent (not associated with) the supply or maintenance of your equipment AND the supply of consumables used. Your process should be open to external, independent scrutiny, to ensure that standard compliance is maximised and performance criteria are met.
SAL PQ & Testing provides us with test soil and protein residue tests, are you still independent?
Absolutely! Whilst we provide your test soils and protein residue tests, we are still independent. All the formulas used are in accordance with ISO15883-5. No secrets, no mysteries about it. There is no sales pitch to buy any product we use. This is all included as part of the Performance Qualification provided by SAL PQ & Testing.
Will you know how to operate our equipment?
Being an independent Performance Qualification specialist, SAL PQ & Testing have had the privilege of working with just about all the different types of RMD reprocessing equipment. We are familiar with how they operate and can comfortably work independently if required.
If you find a problem, will SAL PQ & Testing fix it for us?
Having had a vast amount of exposure to many different pieces of RMD reprocessing equipment and processes, SAL PQ & Testing has gained valuable insight into trouble shooting issues. The three main factors to consider when an issue arises are; human intervention, equipment and consumables. We will work with internal and external resources to find a solution to maximise your departments ability to meet the PQ requirements.