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Even though each decontamination cycle is unique and contains different levels of equipment the basic cycle remains the same.
RBDS comprises of 7 different stages with the actual cycle made up of 4 stages.
The Site Survey:
Our engineers will visit your site and complete a site survey. As part of the site survey they will measure up the room or facility, note the materials and equipment within the area and advise you of any potential issues or concerns and how they can be addressed. They will look at the HVAC system, smoke alarms, sensors etc and explain how these will affect the cycle and how they can be sealed. They will decide how to seal the room \ area and explain to you exactly how the cycle will work and give an estimated cycle time.
They will also take the time to decide how the equipment can be brought into the facility and discuss the power requirements with you. Ideally this will be completed a number of days prior to the cycle so that all procedures can be written down a correct preparations make so that once the team arrive on site they can immediately start the decontamination cycle.
Setup/System Test:
Once the decontamination team arrive on site they will unload the equipment and prepare the RBDS network of equipment. They will then seal up the area and isolate sensors, alarm heads etc as required. Biological indicators will then be placed around the area to verify the cycle. Typically these will be placed in hard to decontaminate areas as agreed with the customer.
The area will then be evacuated and a system test completed to ensure that all equipment is working correctly.
Gassing Cycle:
HPV will be introduced into the area until saturation point is reached and micro-condensation begins to form (for more information please see the importance of micro condensation and the science behind RBDS). The Vapour is injected into the room at a velocity of 30m/s, by a dual axis rotating nozzle. This high velocity allows the vapour to bounce off surfaces so it can reach occluded surfaces.
Dwell Stage:
The HPV levels in the area will be maintained at saturation point for a predefined period (typically 15 minutes) and this is the time during which the kill takes place.
Aeration Stage:
Once the dwell phase is completed the area will be aerated using either our patented Aeration units or the buildings HVAC system. This will bring the HPV levels in the area back to zero.
Close Out:
Once the aeration stage is completed our engineers will re-enter the area and collect the biological indicators. These will then be stored for later incubation. The equipment is then collected and the area unsealed and returned to the customer. An initial decontamination certificate is then issued based on the cycle parameters monitored during the cycle.
VERIFICATION OF RESULTS
Spaulding:
In 1972 E.H. Spaulding published a classification of micro-organisms re. their ease of bio-deactivation. Spaulding classification developed for medical device disinfection risk assessment:
- Bacillus spores (eg Geobacillus stearothermophilus)
- Mycobacteria (eg TB)
- Non-enveloped viruses (eg Polio)
- Gram negative bacteria (eg acinetobacter)
- Fungi (eg aspergillus)
- Gram positive bacteria (eg MRSA)
- Enveloped viruses (eg coronavirus)
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Verficiation of De-contamination:
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To verify each cycle Bioquell will place 6log10 biological indicators within the room. Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores are used as they are:
- A spore form, so hard to kill (e.g. anthrax spores);
- A standard & accepted industry challenge to H2O2
(same challenge as steam sterilisers); and
- A proxy for anthrax spores.
Following RBDS, we will incubate in a growth media for 7 days (Tryptone Soya Broth (TSB)).
After 7 days the absence of any growth will indicate successful de-contamination.
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