Protein Residue Tests

A Protein Residue Test is a method used to detect and measure residual protein on medical instruments, equipment, or surfaces after cleaning. Proteins are organic materials that may remain on surgical tools or devices even after standard washing processes. These residues, if not properly removed, can lead to contamination and potentially cause infections during medical procedures.

Here’s a breakdown of how Protein Residue Tests work:

1. Importance: Protein residues can harbor bacteria or other harmful microorganisms. The test ensures that medical instruments are safe to reuse on patients by verifying that all biological materials have been eliminated.

2. Process:

   • A swab or rinse sample is taken from the cleaned instrument.
   • The sample is tested using reagents or test strips that react with proteins, producing a color change or other measurable result.
   • The amount of protein residue detected is compared to acceptable safety limits.

3. Applications: Used primarily in the medical field to validate cleaning processes, especially in surgical environments, and to comply with regulatory standards like ISO 15883 for cleaning validation.

These tests are a critical component of sterility assurance, helping ensure patient safety by confirming the proper decontamination of reusable medical devices.

Intended purpose of the device

Intended Purpose of Mediwish® Protein Detection Tests:

All five models Mediwish® Protein Detection Tests share a common intended purpose:

• Monitoring the effectiveness of cleaning processes for medical instruments.

These tests help determine whether medical instruments, endoscopes, washer disinfectors (WDs), and ultrasonic cleaners have been adequately cleaned by detecting residual protein contaminants left behind after cleaning procedures. To ensure cleanliness and the effectiveness of sterilization procedures in hospitals and laboratories by identifying leftover proteins on instruments.

Here's a breakdown of their specific applications:

• Mediwish® KlearClean-Pro-2, Pro-3: These general-purpose tests are suitable for monitoring protein residue on various medical instruments.
• Mediwish® KlearClean-Pro-2 Endo: This test is specifically designed for monitoring the effectiveness of cleaning processes for endoscopes, focusing on detecting protein residues within the often-challenging endoscope channels.

·         Mediwish® KlearClean-Hema, Hema Endo: These tests target the detection of residual blood traces, which contain protein, on medical instruments and endoscopes after cleaning.

Intended users of the device

The intended users of the Mediwish® Protein Detection Tests are healthcare professionals involved in:

• Instrument Reprocessing: This includes technicians, nurses, or other personnel responsible for cleaning and disinfecting reusable medical instruments.
• Endoscope Reprocessing: These users are specifically trained in cleaning and maintaining endoscopes, a more specialized area within instrument reprocessing.
• Quality Assurance Personnel: Individuals tasked with overseeing and monitoring cleaning protocols and ensuring compliance with hygiene standards can utilize these tests for verification purposes.
• Infection Control Professionals: These specialists focus on preventing hospital-acquired infections and may recommend or implement the use of protein detection tests as part of infection control measures.

General Requirements:

While the specific training requirements might vary depending on local regulations and facility protocols, the intended users should possess:

• A basic understanding of aseptic technique and cleaning procedures for medical instruments.
• The ability to follow written instructions and interpret the test results according to the manufacturer's guidelines.

The Mediwish® Protein Detection Tests are designed to be user-friendly and do not require extensive scientific expertise for operation. However, proper training on their application and interpretation of results is recommended for optimal use.