Contribute to the safe use of medical devices in the perioperative environment

​This standard covers the safe use of medical devices in relation to the maintenance of asepsis, the control of cross-infection, decontamination and sterilisation processes within the perioperative care environment. 

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1. access and accurately interpret all relevant work instructions and information
2. work safely at all times and in accordance with all relevant legislation, guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols
3. deal promptly and effectively with any problems within your control and report those which cannot be solved
4. identify and minimise hazards and risk in the workplace
5. check, handle and store packs delivered from sterile services or the manufacturer in the agreed place and record delivery in the appropriate documentation
6. use packs in strict rotation and report shortages of supplies to the appropriate person
7. check equipment, instruments and soft pack items and confirm they are free from damage
8. recognize when a sterile pack is unsuitable for use, return the pack to the appropriate department or manufacturer and complete the appropriate documentation
9. check instrument trays before and after use with a designated person, confirm that they contain the specified items and complete required documentation
10. report any missing equipment to an appropriate person.
11. collect, sort and store used items to be decontaminated and sterilised in an appropriate and safe manner
12. place empty pack containers, trays and used medical devices in the appropriate place for collection
13. account for disposable items and dispose of them in accordance with organisational policy and procedures
14. ensure that the requirements of the traceability systems are met
15. complete and store all relevant documentation in accordance with organisational requirements

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1. the current legislation, guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols which are relevant to your work practice and to which you must adhere
2. the scope and limitations of your own competence, responsibilities and accountability as it applies to your job role
3. how to access and interpret all relevant work instructions and information
4. specific procedures for reporting issues which are beyond your competence, responsibilities and accountability
5. the duty to report any acts or omissions that could be unsafe/detrimental to you or others
6. the hazards and risks which may arise during the execution of your work role and how you can minimise these
7. the correct use of any equipment and PPE to protect the health and safety of you and others
8. organisational management structures, roles, and responsibilities
9. the application of standard precautions for infection control and other relevant health and safety issues and the potential consequences of poor practice
10. decontamination and sterilisation processes
11. how to recognise that a theatre tray or supplementary equipment and packs are sterile
12. how to inspect the integrity of equipment, instruments and soft packs, and the types of damage and fault to look out for
13. where and how to dispose of used, dirty and damaged equipment, instruments and soft packs, (both re-usable and single-use)
14. the different types of waste and spillage, and how to dispose of each type
15. methods for sorting and disposing or storing of contaminated and non-contaminated equipment prior to processing
16. the importance of reporting damaged or missing items, and procedures for doing this
17. the importance of traceability systems for theatre instruments
18. how to complete and safely store all relevant documentation in accordance with organisational requirements

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2

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2026

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Current

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Original

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Skills for Health

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SFHPCS2

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Health and Social Care, Health and Social Services Officers, Health Associate Professionals, Health Professionals, Health, Public Services and Care, Healthcare and Related Personal Services

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2259

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Perioperative, care, devices

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