Decontamination and sterile services provider Sterience is now focusing on providing services through partnership agreements with Trusts. Specifically aimed at upgrading existing hospital provision, the service will encompass investment in new equipment and TUPE issues to retain existing on-site skills while enhancing capabilities. This new focus for the UK follows the decision by Sterience to withdraw from participation in the National Programme as a result of recent events within this scheme.
Developed to help hospitals meet the 2007 compliance target, the new services will help any existing facilities upgrade their current operations and bring financial and logistical benefits to surgical care departments while maintaining the existing sterile service expertise. Comprehensive investment covers key equipment such as sterilizers, washers, tracking and traceability systems, ventilation systems, reverse osmosis plants, room modifications and extension, and contingency equipment to ensure service continuity.
The services include collection, receipt of soiled medical devices, cleaning and disinfection, inspection and functionality testing, repair and maintenance or disposal of damaged instruments, and sterilisation. The service also covers secure packaging, labelling and tracking, and the potential for instrument purchase/rental and for surgical supplies purchase.
The service supports the current international Sterience programme. In the UK, investment is being provided for the new centres by parent company Dalkia and is supported by the technical abilities of Sterience SA, a company with extensive experience in sterile service provision across Europe.
Sterience is part of the Dalkia group which has significant TUPE experience having processed over 3,000 transfers to date. Dalkia has extensive experience of providing services to hospitals through PFI investment and has invested over £58 million in new plant for UK hospitals. Dalkia currently provides services to over 4,000 hospitals in 38 countries.
