A Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD) also known as a reprocessing unit for medical products (AEMP) or decontamination and sterile services, is an internal or external hospital service provider that reprocesses reusable medical devices. Its tasks include the cleaning, disinfection, care, sorting, sterilisation and provision of, for example, surgical instruments. During these procedures, manufacturer information, standards, recommendations and national laws must be taken into account.
For example, the US Food & Drug Administration published a Final Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff: Reprocessing Medical Devices in Health Care Settings: Validation Methods and Labeling. The WHO provides international guidelines in its manual Decontamination and Reprocessing of Medical Devices for Health-care Facilities.
