Sterilisation, disinfection and hygiene devices

Tender description

It is a requirement of the ‘Guidelines for the Blood Transfusion Services in the UK’, that there is a standardised/ validated procedure for the preparation of the venepuncture site; to ensure cleanliness and assure sterility of products in order to reduce the risk of a transfusion transmitted infection. Best practice in skin disinfection was defined in Evidence Based Practice in Infection Control Guidelines Version 2 (EPIC2) commissioned by the UK Department of Health which recommended that a solution of 2 % chlorhexidine and 70 % alcohol should be used. The only product range — in individual applicator form and containing the required alcohol formulation — currently licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is ChloraPrep®, distributed by Insight Health Limited. The ChloraPrep® applicators (of various sizes) are currently used for a variety of blood component collections and therapeutic procedures.