Last week marked the Irish Decontamination Institute’s 36th annual conference, and for those who couldn’t make it, here’s our recap 👇

Opening the Conference

The conference kicked off on Thursday evening, October 23rd, with Tracey Scott introducing the 36th annual gathering.

The evening sessions featured compelling presentations from event sponsors that set a thoughtful tone for the days ahead – one that signifies the importance of patient safety at the heart of everything we do.

Silvia Acciaro from Bicarmed introduced “The New RIMD’s Pre-Washing System Using Sodium Bicarbonate.”

The presentation was complemented by a study,  presented by Neil Harper from University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire, titled “Could the Future of Prewash Mean the End of Rewash?” The question sparked considerable discussion among attendees, and demonstrated just how valuable studies are for the HSE’s growth.

Day Two: Bridging the Gap Between Human and Data

Friday’s sessions opened with a powerful reminder of why this work matters: Sulisiti Holmes delivered a deeply personal and technically insightful presentation that started with:

“Everything we do is for patient safety, and that includes my mum.”

Along with her fantastic sense of humour, Sulisiti starkly reminded us that everyone is affected by our work, including our own family.

She shared a case study demonstrating how a seemingly simple change (introducing a new instrument model) led to unexpected contamination incidents. Critically, Holmes emphasised that these incidents didn’t occur through negligence, but rather because even small shifts in process can have significant, cascading impacts on not only decontamination outcomes, but entire hospital outcomes.

Her message was clear: decontamination is a huge, complex, and intricate system with goals that aren’t just technical; they’re fundamentally human. Prevention and collaboration with the wider hospital, manufacturers, and systems are key, and events like IDI are vital to healthcare progress.

It was a sobering and inspiring start to the day.

Track and Trace: Where Data Meets Strategy

Alex Prior, Head of Sales at Athera Healthcare, brought a unique perspective to the conference with his presentation “What’s Next in Track and Trace? Trends, Data, and the Road Ahead.”

Having worked hands-on with decontamination teams across Ireland and the UK, Alex sees firsthand how track and trace systems are evolving from compliance checkboxes into genuine strategic assets in different ways, across different trusts.

Beyond the Basics

Here’s the reality: most units have track and trace systems, but they’re only scratching the surface of what’s possible. Sure, everyone’s tracking compliance and safety, but the real opportunity lies in what you do with all that data.

Alex highlighted the gap between potential and practice. While systems track through dispatch or endoscope washing cycles, critical steps often get missed. Post-flush cleaning for endoscopes? Theatre integration for complete patient association? These are the blind spots holding departments back.

But how do we leverage data strategically?

What peaked real interest was Alex’s focus on leveraging decontamination data strategically. This isn’t just about ticking boxes anymore. The data you’re already capturing can drive real, measurable outcomes:

Capacity planning? Use your washer production data to prove you need new machines for expanding your surgical center.

Torn packs appearing in stores? Your data might reveal it’s not random, it’s that specific racking causing the problem.

Too many fast track requests? Compare turnaround times and identify where better planning eliminates emergency processing.

Staffing challenges? Your peak production data shows exactly where you need more hands or proves which team members are crushing it.

What’s Next? The Road Ahead.

Alex laid out three big shifts happening right now:

Reports to trends. Stop documenting what happened. Start predicting what’s coming and improving continuously.

Breaking down silos. Your track and trace system should talk to patient records, theatre schedules, inventory management, incident reporting, everything. Interoperability isn’t a nice-to-have anymore.

Real partnerships. Suppliers and decontamination teams need to work together differently. This is collaboration, not just vendor relationships.

And with healthcare-associated infections affecting 4.3 million patients annually across the EU/EEA (the most frequent adverse event in healthcare delivery, according to ECDC), decontamination isn’t a back-office function. It’s strategic. It’s critical. And as Alex put it, “Decon needs to be recognised as innovation leaders on a strategic level.”

The data is there. The technology is ready. The question is: are we thinking big enough about what decontamination can achieve?

Final Thoughts

IDI 2025 delivered. From exploring new pre-washing technologies to Sulisiti Holmes’ reminder of the human stakes, to Alex Prior’s vision for what track and trace can become, the conference provided both practical insights and genuine inspiration.

As healthcare leans harder into digital transformation and data-driven decision making, decontamination professionals are stepping into an increasingly strategic role. Events like IDI make sure innovation, best practice, and collaboration stay at the heart of this vital work. Because at the end, progress can’t happen unless we all work together.

The Athera Healthcare team extends congratulations to the IDI on another successful conference, and we look forward to continuing these important conversations throughout the year!