Endoscope decontamination with a smile at Wigan

Decontamination is a serious business. There are rules and regulations to follow, standards to achieve, training to complete, processes to monitor. Yet the important nature of the work should not preclude staff from enjoying their profession, together with the satisfaction of being a member of an efficient, wellorganised team.

“A cohesive team is a happy team,” says Lynda Barkess-Jones, senior infection control nurse at Wrightington Wigan and Leigh NHS Trust. And smiles were certainly high on the agenda when Inside Hospitals recently visited the endoscopy department at the trust’s Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, in Wigan, where Lynda oversees decontamination.

With endoscopy units at Wigan and nearby Leigh, it was a straightforward decision to standardise on endoscopes and decontamination equipment and procedures across the trust to ensure there would be no problems whenever staff had to transfer to cover for holidays or illness.

“Staff can transfer straight away,” explained Lynda. “We’re using the same equipment and disinfecting agents across the trust. There’s a written protocol in place for every stage of disinfection so that everyone is trained to the same standards.

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