Water quality testing of low temperature sterilizing systems

[Brenda Anderson]

Reading AS4187; (Water testing)
This is my understanding:

There is a requirement for water supplied to a reprocessing service to be of suitable quality reference to table 7.2

Table 10.3 is specifically referring to automated endoscope reprocesses (AER) and indicates both the supply water and the final rinse water shall comply with table 7.2 and has an added requirement for final rinse water being tested for legionella spp, pseudomonas aeruginosa and mycobacteria.

Table 7.2 refers to water quality used for processing RMD’s and is referenced to a document which specifies washer disinfectors.
The final rinse requirements in Table 7.2 is for washer disinfectors and AER’s

The steam supply water to steam sterilizers also have a requirement for contaminants in feed water and condensate. They are described in Table B1 of EN 285.

My question is:
Is there a requirement for quality water testing of low temperature sterilizing systems?

They are an automated system that reprocess endoscopes, so do they fit under these requirements?

If anyone knows a standard that clearly specifies the water testing requirements for low temperature sterilizing systems, that would be great. ISO 14937 does not specify anything and I don’t have access to ISO 13485.

If there is no requirement , then I would like to know the rationale.

Thanks
Brenda

Brenda Anderson RN, G.Dip ICN, CIPC – E
Infection Control Consultant – Hume Region Infection Control Resource and Consulting Service
Northeast Health Wangaratta
35-47 Green Street, Wangaratta Vic 3676

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