Review of Sterile Services Provision
The Challenge
The Estates and Facilities directorate were responsible for the management of the outsourced SSD and Endoscopy decontamination contract, however lacked the expertise to manage the interface between the users in theatres and the service providers. This had led to scope creep and escalating costs.
With the contract expiry due within 18 months, the Trust also needed support in understanding options with sufficient time to consider an appropriate procurement approach Wider decontamination strategy and the understanding of inventory and capital investment requirements.
Our Approach
Electrolite delivered a review of the service, a contract deep dive against KPIs plus supplier side recommended cost savings. Further, we supported with re-establishing the governance Trust side and provided a subject matter expert to cover decontamination services external to the outsourced contract. This included:
- Working with the service users (Theatres, OPD, Endo) to reduce costs and deliver savings
- Advising service users and Infection control on decontamination issues external to the contract
- Liaising with the AE(D) on compliance and audit e.g., JAG
- Representing E&F at decontamination committee and establishing better reporting
- Co-ordinating the contract review with Steris to identify cost savings.
An option paper has been written outlining a variety of short, medium and long term opportunities for the Trust to consider - including provision for the ICB.
For the Financial Year 24/25 - savings of over 10% have been secured.