A unit that sterilises around 2.8 million hospital instruments a year for use across NHS Forth Valley has received a glowing report following an unannounced inspection.

The Area Sterilisation Disinfection Unit (ASDU), which is based at Falkirk Community Hospital, received a clean bill of health following a recent visit from Lloyds’s Register Quality Assurance. The visit was only the second of its kind in Scotland and the first by the Lloyds, who are one of the leading independent assessors.

During the visit the assessors visited the clean room and sterilisation areas where instruments are sterilised for use across NHS Forth Valley. Their report concluded that the Unit maintains good control of the inspection, packing and sterilisation processes. They also noted that record keeping was seen to be of a high standard and that the clean room assembly and packing area was orderly, clean with all materials clearly identified.

The findings reflect the Unit’s commitment to health and safety and the ongoing work of staff to ensure they provide a high quality sterilisation service for the millions of medical instruments and devices which are required every year to carry out vital operations, tests and procedures.

Lynsay Gracie, NHS Forth Valley’s ASDU Manager said: “This report highlights our ongoing commitment to provide the patients of NHS Forth Valley with safe, sterile and fit-for-purpose medical devices used in theatres and clinics throughout the board area. I would like to thank all of the staff involved for helping to ensure the Unit maintains consistently high standards.”