Droplet dispersal in decontamination areas of instrument reprocessing suites

Personnel working in sterile processing or endoscope reprocessing departments are at high risk of exposure to tissue, blood, and patient fluids when decontaminating reusable medical instruments and equipment. The effectiveness of protective measures for reprocessing personnel has not yet been systematically evaluated in real-world settings.

This pilot project aimed to identify reprocessing activities that generate splashes, determine how far droplets can travel in decontamination areas, and assess personal protective equipment exposure during routine activities.

Moisture-detection paper was affixed to environmental surfaces and personal protective equipment in a sterile processing department. Droplet dispersal was assessed after personnel simulated performance of routine reprocessing tasks.

Visible droplets were generated during every reprocessing activity except running the sonication sink. Droplets traveled at least 3 feet when filling a sink, brushing a ureteroscope, and using a power sprayer to rinse a basin. Some activities dispersed droplets up to 5 feet from the sink. Personal protective equipment was splashed during most activities and did not prevent skin exposure even when properly donned and doffed.

This hypothesis-generating pilot project found that routine reprocessing activities generated substantial splashing, and currently recommended personal protective equipment did not adequately protect sterile processing personnel from exposure.