Assessing MDR in Alberta
CPSA is responsible for overseeing Medical Device Reprocessing (MDR) in Alberta medical clinics that perform procedures using reusable medical devices. We develop standards, guidelines and resources for cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing contaminated devices.
Since CPSA began assessing the quality of MDR in Alberta’s medical clinics in 2008, clinics have significantly improved in meeting critical standards for cleaning and monitoring sterility.
Interested in learning more about how our MDR assessments have improved safety in medical clinics?
CPSA’s updated Medical Device Reprocessing standards take effect Jan. 1, 2022.
Find out what community medical clinics need to know.
On this page
Current MDR standards for clinics
Proper MDR is critical to both patient and staff safety. Our standards cover decontamination, packaging, disinfection, sterilization and other important elements for both general devices and flexible endoscopes.
Our standards are aligned with Canadian and Albertan standards. We frequently review them to make sure we meet other MDR best practices.
Committee opportunity for a rural family medicine physician
Are you a rural family medicine physician who’s interested in getting more involved with CPSA? If so, consider an active role in profession-led governance by joining the Infection Prevention & Control (IPAC) Advisory Committee.
Guidelines for clinics
These useful guidelines can help your clinic meet best practice on some elements not covered in the CPSA MDR standards. We recommend reviewing and sharing them with your clinic team regularly to stay up-to-date.
Cleaning reusable ear cleaning equipment
This resource shares valuable information about reprocessing tools used to clean ears. Consider this resource before you purchase ear cleaning equipment for your clinic.
Disinfecting devices that only touch the surface of the eye
CPSA is currently conducting research to find a long term solution for MDR in ophthalmology offices. In the meantime, we strongly recommend clinics follow these guidelines from the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Joint Commission, which emphasize the high-level disinfection of any devices that touch the surface of the eye.
Tools and resources for your clinic
MDR toolkit
Our MDR toolkit highlights the basic equipment and supplies you should have onsite if you reprocess critical or semi-critical devices. It also includes information about what kind of policies, procedures and guidelines your clinic should have, as well as procedure templates. We recommend downloading this resource, customizing it for your clinic and keeping a hard copy in your office.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) education
Your office needs to be safe for both patients and staff. Part of that is handling personal protective equipment (PPE) properly. This user manual and poster can be kept near your designated MDR area for all staff to refer to. You can also watch our 5-minute demonstration video!
MDR assessment flowchart
This flowchart outlines all the steps of an MDR assessment, from identifying if a clinic needs to be assessed, to surveying the clinic to learn what type of procedures they do, to the assessment and any other action CPSA might take. The complex flowchart includes lots of steps and reflects our detailed process to make sure Albertans receive safe care in their medical clinic.
Alberta Health Services' MDR Resources
Access resource manuals and best practice recommendations from Alberta Health Services (AHS) to help with outbreak identification and management, MDR education, guideline, policy and procedure development, and more.
Additional MDR resources
All ResourcesAlberta Health's MDR Standards
Alberta Health Click to view filesCanadian Standards Association Medical Device Reprocessing standard for purchase
Click to view filesPublic Health Ontario's Best Practices for Cleaning, Disinfection and Sterilization in all Healthcare Settings
Public Health Ontario Click to view filesOnline MDR training
Every community clinic needs to have one staff member oversee the clinic’s MDR and occupational health & safety (OHS). We recommend training your staff using either of the two courses below.
Reprocessing in community health care settings
These best practices will help you prevent the spread of infection. If you are responsible for medical device reprocessing in a community clinic, this Public Health Ontario course is for you.
In 9 modules (2-4 hours total), you’ll learn:
- general concepts in reprocessing
- information and skills for safely reprocessing reusable medical equipment/devices
- information related to the importance of following best practices and the consequences of inadequate reprocessing
- best practices in reprocessing
MDR in community healthcare settings
This online course from the Canadian Standards Association includes a variety of lessons, a document library, sample procedures and self-assessment quizzes. Choose from four optional modules categorized by area of expertise.
You’ll learn:
- basic IPAC principles and semi-critical and critical medical device reprocessing
- hands-on skills to increase the effectiveness of your reprocessing procedures
- theory of decontamination
- basic concepts of patient safety
Other online MDR training
Physicians and medical clinic staff can also take a free 30-minute module to understand their occupational health & safety (OHS) obligations under provincial legislation. Help ensure a safe working environment for you, your medical clinic staff and patients. CFPC Mainpro participants may claim Mainpro-M2 credits for this activity, while participants of the Royal College MOC Program may use this course as a stimulus to develop a personal learning project.
Subscribe to the IPAC mailing list
Subscribe to this CPSA mailing list to get the latest IPAC and MDR news, including updates to standards, guidelines, policies and new resources.
Information for Albertans
All of Alberta’s community clinics are required to meet strict infection prevention and control standards. CPSA routinely assesses clinics for medical device reprocessing. If you see a CPSA certificate in your community medical clinic, it means they’ve been assessed under our MDR standards.
If you have a question or concern about how your clinic meets our MDR or IPAC standards, reach out to us using the contact form below.
Questions or feedback? We'd love to hear from you.
Phone: 780-969-5004
Toll-free: 1-800-561-3899 ext. 5004 (in Canada)
Fax: 780-424-5859