Sterilization & Disinfection
Best sterile processing managers anticipate, collaborate, stay up to date
With more than 36 years of experience in sterile processing, I have seen many changes occur, and I know what it takes to be an effective sterile processing (SP) manager. The goal of an effective SP manager is to determine where the department is now, where you want it to…
Environmental cleaning in sterile processing areas
Thorough environmental cleaning limits the number of microorganisms that can be transferred to the patient and the healthcare provider, thus helping to prevent healthcare-associated infections. A team consisting of perioperative nursing, sterile processing, environmental services, and infection prevention staff needs to be established to develop cleaning procedures for all areas…
A risk analysis of the steam sterilization process can improve patient safety
The steam sterilization process is complex and includes a number of important steps: decontamination, preparation and packaging, sterilization, quality control, sterile storage, and product distribution. The effectiveness of this process cannot be determined by inspection or testing of each product, and because sterility assurance is a probability function, it must…
Perioperative services overhaul proves effort is worth the time
Getting a zero deficiency rating on a recent Joint Commission survey and bringing sterile processing in house are 2 of many improvements made at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital over the past decade. When Frances Baldwin, MBA, RN, assistant vice president of perioperative services, joined the hospital 11 years ago, Georgetown…
Improving instrument readiness cuts case delays, boosts surgeon satisfaction
Surgical case delays have been found to last an average of nearly 17 minutes. Not only do such delays make surgeons dissatisfied, they also reduce case volume and related revenues, and they may lead to additional time under anesthesia for patients. The root causes of instrument-based delays are seldom simple,…
Are you correctly using rigid sterilization containers for IUSS?
Although immediate-use steam sterilization (IUSS) is a safe method to sterilize emergently contaminated instruments, inappropriate use may lead to an increased risk for surgical site infection, according to a study in the American Journal of Infection Control. This study stated the only acceptable indicator for use of IUSS based on…
Using chemical sterilants and high-level disinfectants in health care facilities
The update of the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation American National Standard Chemical sterilization and high-level disinfection in health care facilities, ANSI/AAMI ST58:2013, is available for purchase and should become part of health care facilities’ evidence-based library. Below is a brief description of the contents of the recommended…
Sterile processing questions and answers
Answers to some of the questions asked at several recent annual meetings, notably AORN, APIC (Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology), and IAHCSMM (International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management), are offered by sterilization expert Martha Young. Also included are questions from seminars and webinars she has…
Unprocessed tray incident prompts investigation, leads to process improvements
The circulating nurse was cleaning up after surgery in an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) when she noticed the internal chemical indicator (a Class 5 integrating indicator) had not reached its appropriate endpoint response, which is a pass. That meant an unprocessed instrument tray had been used on the patient. Her…
Safer Surgery: Six steps that aim for excellence in sterile processing
Fourth in a series on ten elements of safer surgery. It’s axiomatic that sterile processing is critical to safe and effective surgical care. The sterile processing department (SPD) is like an “engine room” for the OR, where the staff produce the sterile instruments and other equipment needed for surgical…
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