Concord’s CSSD is raising the bar in sustainable sterilisation.
 

The recent upgrade of equipment used by the Central Sterilising Supply Department (CSSD) at Concord Hospital is saving thousands of litres of water a day. 

CSSD plays a critical role in ensuring patient safety by sterilising reusable medical instruments from facilities across Sydney Local Health District. 

Sustainability has been a major focus for the department during these upgrades. George Papadopoulos, Head of Department at CSSD, says this work has had a dramatic impact on the department’s water usage. 

“With the old sterilisers, we were losing around 600 litres of water per cycle – about 18,000 litres a day, all going down the drain,” he explains. “Now, with our new chiller system, none of that water is wasted.” 

The new system recycles water used to cool the steriliser’s vacuum pumps by connecting it to the hospital’s chilled water supply. This innovation saves CSSD thousands of litres of water daily, a significant step forward in reducing the District’s environmental footprint. 

“The water used in the steriliser is not for the actual sterilisation process but for cooling the vacuum pump, avoiding overheating,” says George. 

“With the chiller, we can send that water back into the system instead of down the drain. It’s a huge difference. We’ve gone from 600 litres a cycle to zero, making our process far more sustainable.” 

CSSD undertook these significant upgrades to enhance sustainability, save resources, and meet the new AS 5369 standards, which set strict guidelines for reprocessing and sterilising reusable medical devices in healthcare settings. These standards ensure high levels of hygiene and safety by outlining protocols for cleaning, disinfection, and sterilisation, while encouraging sustainable practices such as reducing water waste. 

The department serves Concord and other District hospitals and health centres –including Croydon Health Centre, Marrickville Health Centre, and Balmain Hospital. It is responsible for the sterilisation of instruments for 11 operating theatres and other wards and departments, with about 30 sterilisation cycles daily. These high standards are maintained by a dedicated team of 32 staff at Concord. 

Besides water conservation, the department’s upgrades have also prioritised reliability. By connecting sterilisers to essential power and chilled water, CSSD ensures uninterrupted operation. “If power goes down, our sterilising equipment keeps running, which means surgeries won’t be delayed due to unavailable sterilised instruments,” says George. This focus on reliability is crucial, as he notes: “Without sterile, reusable medical devices, there can be no surgery.” 

The sustainability measures reflect Sydney Local Health District’s dedication to ongoing improvement and compliance with updated standards. “It’s pretty much a no-brainer,” George adds. “Every hospital has chillers, so using them to make a difference in water consumption was the right choice.”