Stepping Hill Hospital has received a commendation for excellent quality during the latest independent inspection of its endoscopy decontamination services.

The trust’s endoscopy decontamination team received Green status, the top possible rating, for its JAG (Joint Advisory Group on GI Endoscopy) decontamination audit, confirming their high standards of safety for flexible endoscopes.

Stepping Hill Hospital`s HSDU (Hospital Sterilisation & Disinfection Unit) and endoscopy decontamination services have the responsibility of making sure all flexible endoscopes are high level disinfected and safe for patient use. They provide all the flexible endoscopes required for the thousands of procedures which take place at the hospital each year.

Effective decontamination is an important part of reducing the risks of cross infection between patients; and has been even more vital during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The independent auditor described the unit in his inspection as ‘one of the best I have seen in the country’ and that all team members should be proud of what they have achieved.

Elliot Riley, Decontamination Manager said "The whole team are very proud to have received the latest JAG decontamination Green status, which is a testament to all the hard work they have put in to help ensure patient safety. It’s great to see our high standards confirmed, and we will do our utmost to live up to them in the future.”