Unseen but Not Harmless! Emissions in our MDRAs

This presentation examines the sources, types, and implications of emissions produced throughout the medical device reprocessing workflow, including cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, and drying processes. An emphasis will be placed on the physical properties of many of the chemicals used in the MDRA which can contribute to occupational harm if not properly controlled. We will examine the risks and most common types of injuries than can occure form these chemicals. The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System guidelines and symbols will be reviewed. We will identify contributing factors such as dated practices, inadequate ventilation, improper chemical handling, aging equipment, and increased reprocessing workloads. National and international standards for workplace exposure limits will be defined and finally, the presentation will highlight practical strategies to mitigate emissions in reprocessing environments.

Melanie is currently the National Senior Clinical Education Consultant for ASP Canada. A dedicated nurse with 25 years of clinical experience, she has spent the last decade shaping healthcare professionals and their practices as a clinical educator. Her career is driven by a strong commitment to patient safety and excellence in practice. Passionate about infection prevention and control, she is also a committee member in the CSA group for Medical Device Reprocessing and the Standards Council of Canada/ISO group for Biological Indicator Monitoring.