Australasian Health Facility Guidelines Update

September 28, 2022 Image of Sterile Store.

Health Planning Units (HPU) are a key feature of the Australasian Health Facility Guidelines (AusHFG) and provide information regarding common clinical departments or services in hospitals and similar healthcare settings. This HPU has been developed by the Australasian Health Infrastructure Alliance (AHIA) following comprehensive consultation during 2021 and 2022.

This document is aimed at supporting the planning and design process for the design team, project managers and end users. It is intended for new-build projects, as well as refurbishment projects when possible. In particular, relating to effectively completing segregation of clean and dirty activities. Healthcare facilities should ensure adequate facilities to clean, disinfect and sterilize reusable medical devices (RMDs) to optimise the care and safety of patients and staff.

Updated Standard

An updated revision of HPU 190 Sterilizing Services and Endoscope Reprocessing Unit (Revision 7, August 2022) has been uploaded to the AusHFG website. The revised version has been informed by an extensive consultation process with clinical, operational and technical experts.

You can download the document here. 

Key changes include:

  • Change of the HPU name to include Endoscope Reprocessing Units (ERU) to highlight a key element of the guideline.
  • Updated operational policies and models to align with relevant standards and international best practice.
  • Inclusion of new sections relating to Sterilizing Services Unit (SSU) capacity requirements, including guidance on the common number of washer-disinfectors (WDs) and sterilizers required to support different sized operating suites. Guidance around endoscope reprocessing capacity requirements is also included.
  • A summary of process flows with diagrams, to clearly demonstrate the key steps involved in the reprocessing of surgical RMDs and endoscopes.
  • Updates to air handling information to highlight key issues such as pressure differentials, air quality, management of heat gain, pressures in plant room and the need for the system to be operational 24/7 in the inspection, assembly and packaging (IAP) room and sterile stores.
  • Additional information relating to the planning and design requirements to support Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCPs).
  • Updated information relating to technology, to reflect contemporary systems for improving the quality of RMD reprocessing. For example, enhanced inspection and testing techniques; and automated wrapping systems using robotics.
  • General updates to the SOA to reflect contemporary practice, benchmarking to recently delivered facilities, and the associated revised standard components. Key changes include updates to the SSU scenarios to reflect the number of operating rooms supported rather than the number of sterilizers within the unit. Recommended areas are included for units supporting 2, 10 and 20 operating rooms.

How IntraSpace Can Help You

We offer this through our Consultant who holds over 30 years of experience in helping CSSDs become compliant with current standards.

Our Basic Services include:

  • Site Audits
  • Risk Analysis
  • Comprehensive Reports
  • Budget Projections
  • Storage Room Designs
  • Payment Plans
  • Best Practice and OH&S Regulations Considered

We also have Advanced Services including:

  • Report Writing
    We offer the service of report writing and business case preparations for those with limited time.
  • Risk Management Frameworks
    We can assist you to prepare risk management frameworks (ensuring appropriate risks are identified, mitigated, or actioned – i.e., through risk matrix review, updating/educating of risk management for staff – upon induction/regular meetings/documentation dissemination and display).
  • Incident Management Systems
    Documenting of appropriate incident management policies and procedures (CSSD risk is typically bodily fluid exposure to a CSSD tech for instance or sharps).
  • Operational and Governance Workflows
    The actual documented workflow by which a CSSD for instance functions and how it is regulated, by whom, who learns of issues, etc.
  • Quality Management Systems
    Ensure your processes are occurring as per documentation, information is disseminated appropriately and consistently through feedback, etc.

IntraSpace can help you become Fully Compliant and Accreditation Ready

Click here to fill out the online form for IntraSpace’s AS4187 Compliance Service.

For more information, you can download our IntraSpace AS4187 Compliance Guide – Your Guide to Making Your Hospital AS/NZS 4187:2014 Compliant.