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1.3 The Medical Device Reprocessing Area

The Medical Device Reprocessing Area (MDRA) is a crucial part of any healthcare setting. The MDRA is where reusable medical devices are cleaned, inspected, packaged, sterilized, and stored. MDRAs, as shown in Figure 1.6, can be found in hospitals, doctor’s offices, dental clinics, private surgery centres, ophthalmology clinics, and many more healthcare settings. Every procedure, from invasive surgical procedures to endoscopy to sutures, relies on the MDRA for clean, sterile instrumentation.

 

image of a decontamination area of the MDRA
Figure 1.6

Key Concept

The MDRA has gone by many names over the years, and some old names you may still hear are listed below:

  • Medical Device Reprocessing Department, or MDRD
  • Central Services
  • Central Sterile Supply, or CSS

In 2023, the word “department” was replaced with the word “area.” This was done to include reprocessing locations that are outside the main department or in a community healthcare setting.

 

The medical devices reprocessed in the MDRA are mainly those used in surgical procedures; however, an MDRA may also reprocess devices used in nursing units, outpatient clinics, endoscopy, dentistry, emergency, and many others.

Examples of devices that may be reprocessed in an MDRA:

  • Bedpans and urinals
  • Flexible endoscopes
  • Stainless steel surgical instruments
  • Robotic surgical devices

Medical device reprocessing has evolved significantly since the first autoclave was developed in 1879 (National Museum of American History, n.d.). Autoclaves have continued to develop since then, and a current autoclave, from a dental office, is shown in Figures 1.7 and sterilizers from an MDRA at the University of Alberta Hospital in Fig. 1.8. Surgical devices have also become increasingly complex and require specialized handling and cleaning methods. Personnel who perform reprocessing must have comprehensive training in infection control, cleaning methods, disinfection, and sterilization. A medical device reprocessing technician (MDRT) should be educated in all the processes used in the MDRA and have a thorough orientation that includes training in all the MDRA’s procedures.

image of a row of sterilizer in the MDRA
Fig. 1.8

 

Image of an fully autoclave
Figure 1.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two organizations provide certification for medical device reprocessing technicians:

  • The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) is a Canadian organization that issues the national standards for medical device reprocessing. To become a certified medical device reprocessing technician (CMDRT), candidates must complete a course in medical device reprocessing, have a minimum of 400 hours of experience working in an MDRA, and pass a multiple-choice exam.
  • The Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) is an international organization based in the United States that provides education and certification for medical device reprocessing technicians. The HSPA provides certification for certified registered central service technicians (CRCSTs), along with a number of other specialized certificates.

Some provinces in Canada require certification from one of these organizations.

Areas in the MDRA

The four areas within the MDRA are Decontamination, Assembly, Sterilization, and Storage & Distribution. Each area has a required layout and serves a specific purpose. These areas will be discussed in more detail in the next section, which focuses on one-way workflow; however, some images of these areas are provided below as an introduction to the MDRA.

Decontamination

image of the decontamination area of the MDRA
Figure 1.9
wash station in the MDRA
Fig. 1.10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

washers in the MDRA
Fig. 1.11
image of the decontamination area of the MDRA
Figure 1.12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assembly

Image of the assembly area of the MDRA
Figure 1.13
Image of the assembly area of the MDRA
Figure 1.15
assembly area in the MDRA
Fig. 1.14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sterilization

image of the sterilization area of the MDRA
Figure 1.16
image of the sterilization area of the MDRA
Figure 1.17
sterilizers in the MDRA
Fig. 1.18

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Storage & Distribution

storage area in the MDRA
Fig 1.19

 

 

 

storage area in the MDRA
Fig. 1.20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

National Museum of American History. (n.d.). Autoclave [Photo]. https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/object/nmah_536

 

Image Credits

(Images are listed in order of appearance)

Willekes, C. (2025). Medical Device Reprocessing Area (MDRA), University of Alberta Hospital [Photo]. NorQuest College.

Born, R. (2025). Autoclave loaded small community reprocessing [Photo]. Princess Elizabeth Dental.

Born, R. (2025). Sterilizer, University of Alberta Hospital. [Photo]. NorQuest College.

Willekes, C. (2025). MDRA decontamination area, University of Alberta Hospital [Photo]. NorQuest College.

Willekes, C. (2025). MDRA decontamination area, University of Alberta Hospital [Photo]. NorQuest College.

Born, R. (2025). MDRA decontamination area, University of Alberta Hospital [Photo]. NorQuest College.

Born, R. (2025). MDRA decontamination area, University of Alberta Hospital [Photo]. NorQuest College.

Willekes, C. (2025). MDRA assembly area, University of Alberta Hospital [Photo]. NorQuest College.

Willekes, C. (2025). MDRA assembly area, University of Alberta Hospital [Photo]. NorQuest College.

Born, R. (2025). MDRA assembly area, University of Alberta Hospital [Photo]. NorQuest College.

Willekes, C. (2025). MDRA sterilization area, University of Alberta Hospital [Photo]. NorQuest College.

Willekes, C. (2025). MDRA sterilization area, University of Alberta Hospital [Photo]. NorQuest College.

Born, R. (2025). MDRA sterilization area, University of Alberta Hospital [Photo]. NorQuest College.

Born, R. (2025). MDRA storage & distribution area, University of Alberta Hospital [Photo]. NorQuest College.

Born, R. (2025). MDRA storage & distribution area, University of Alberta Hospital [Photo]. NorQuest College.

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