Tag: sterile packaged devices

Practice updates ease steam sterilization balancing act

Reliable and robust enough for daily use on most medical devices, steam is the most common sterilant in healthcare facilities. However, using steam properly requires a balancing act. For example, too much moisture can lead to wet packs, while steam that is too dry might not be sufficient to achieve…

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By: Susan Klacik, BS, FCS, ACE, CHL, CIS, CRCST, AAMIF
November 20, 2024
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Offsite sterilization fuels onsite efficiency for lean ASCs

For many in the healthcare industry, imagining surgery without onsite sterile processing seems unthinkable. Then again, performing total joints in an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) was unthinkable 10 years ago. ASC sterile processing departments (SPDs) are generally not designed to handle the high volumes of instrument trays, vendor trays, and…

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By: Lacey Dyer, RN, BSN, CASC
August 28, 2024
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Common inspection points for surgical instrumentation

Inspecting surgical devices is a time-consuming process. However, diligently checking every instrument prior to sterilization is essential to ensuring safe, proper functioning. As the last people to see devices before they are used for patient care, sterile processing technicians must be thorough. Exterior surfaces should be inspected for flaws such…

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By: Susan Klacik, BS, FCS, ACE, CHL, CIS, CRCST, AAMIF
May 24, 2024
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AAMI guidance covers sterile processing of dilators, ultrasound probes

Editor's Note A new guidance document covering the entire process for the selection, labeling, and sterile processing of dilators and ultrasound probes is available from The Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI). Released April 17, AAMI TIR99:2024; Processing Of Dilators, Transesophageal And Ultrasound Probes In Health Care Facilities…

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By: Matt Danford
April 29, 2024
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New EPA standards to reduce ethylene oxide emissions

Editor's Note New standards from The Environmental Protection Agency promise to cut nationwide emissions of ethylene oxide—employed to sterilize more than half of US medical devices—by more than 90 percent. According to a March 15 MedPage Today report, the aim is to reduce cancer risk among the 13 to 14…

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By: Matt Danford
March 18, 2024
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Negative pressure wound therapy reduces SSI across surgical specialties

Editor's Note Compared with standard wound dressings, single-use negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) devices can reduce the incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) in at-risk patients with closed surgical incisions across a range of surgical specialties, according to a data review highlighted in the February issue of the American Journal…

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By: Matt Danford
March 6, 2024
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Why OR leaders should revisit sterile processing basics

Sterile Processing Department (SPD) managers and technicians know a thing or two about pressure. In a recent webinar covering sterile processing basics, Cori L. Ofstead, MSPH, president and CEO of Ofstead & Associates, Inc, and Abby Smart, MPH, research associate, cited the example of a 480-bed hospital that performed 13,650…

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By: Uyen Vo, BSN, MBA
February 27, 2024
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Managing immediate use steam sterilization

Immediate use steam sterilization (IUSS, a standard steam sterilization cycle with little to no dry time) is considered safe for patient care when the processes recommended in Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) standards and AORN guidelines are followed. IUSS is a valuable option in an emergency. Lack…

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By: Susan Klacik, BS, FCS, ACE, CHL, CIS, CRCST, AAMIF
January 23, 2024
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The Joint Commission issues new Quick Safety on managing packaged sterile supplies, devices

Editor's Note The Joint Commission, on June 28, announced a new Quick Safety advisory on “Managing packaged sterile supplies and devices.” The advisory provides guidance to keep patients safe from infection and harm from expired or compromised supplies and devices and urges healthcare workers (HCWs) to pay close attention to…

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By: Judy Mathias
June 29, 2022
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