Accreditation practice pointer: infection prevention and control

GP4.1 F Our practice records the sterilisation load number from the sterile barrier system in the patient’s health record when sterile items have been used, and records the patient’s name against those load numbers in a sterilisation log or list.

RACGP Standards for general practice.

General practice must adhere to an effective recording system for reusable sterile items should there be a failure in processing or reprocessing, or if there is a medico-legal issue relating to infection control.  

If a process failure is identified after the release of sterile items for use, practices need to be able to identify all patients on whom those items were used. For items reprocessed onsite, patient identifiers need to be recorded (eg name and/or record number or date of birth) for each patient next to each item or pack listed in the load details in the steriliser log. For items sterilised offsite or purchased sterile, practices need to keep a list of these items onsite. 

RACGP guidelines for reprocessing reusable medical devices are available here: https://www.racgp.org.au/running-a-practice/practice-standards/racgp-infection-prevention-and-control-guidelines/10-reprocessing-reusable-medical-devices/overview