Independent evaluation of PlasmaTYPHOON+

This report describes an independent real world evaluation of an innovation in use in the NHS, the PlasmaTYPHOON+ system developed by PENTAX Medical, undertaken by the Health Innovation Wessex Insight Team. Health Innovation Wessex conducted the evaluation of PlasmaTYPHOON+ and PlasmaBAG system between November 2023 and May 2024 in a decontamination unit in the south of England.

A mixed methods design explored three broad areas of interest for PENTAX Medical and the decontamination unit: (1) energy consumption and plastic waste of PlasmaTYPHOON+ and related devices, (2) stakeholders’ perceptions of acceptability and impact of the PlasmaTYPHOON+ and PlasmaBAG system, and (3) an assessment of PlasmaTYPHOON+ related workflow.

On energy consumption, in a direct comparison, PlasmaTYPHOON+ used 22 times less electricity than the existing storage cabinet. On acceptability, the PlasmaTYPHOON+ system was perceived as highly acceptable by unit staff. The innovation had a positive financial impact on the decontamination unit, on the speed of endoscope drying, and on the wellbeing of unit staff. 

A range of suggested recommendations for the decontamination unit, PENTAX Medical, and the AED community are provided. Importantly, there is an urgent need to review and amend the HTM 01-06 guidance to standardise the validation of drying cabinet replacement devices, such as PlasmaTYPHOON+.