An optimized sterile processing department is key to every hospital’s success because of its impact on the OR. However, instrument load and complexity have increased over the years, and for many healthcare organizations, staff training and retention has suffered.
For our latest podcast episode, we sat down with Gregg Agoston, our Vice President for Service Lines Sales, and Marcy Konja, who leads and manages our sterile processing business, to discuss the problems plaguing staffing in the SPD. Both Gregg and Marcy each have over 30 years of experience primarily in sterile processing. What happens in the SPD can have an outsized effect on hospital operations and patient outcomes, so uncovering the root of these issues and solving them is not just important, but urgent.
3 Critical Problems in SPD Staffing
In our conversation, we identified three critical problems related to staffing in the sterile processing department.
- No retention strategy
Gregg says, “Many SPDs turn to temporary staffing when they struggle with retention, but that creates a domino effect. Without a solid retention strategy, you lose full-time employees and end up in a cycle where you rely on agencies or fill gaps with less qualified personnel.”
A retention strategy should include actively spearheading interdepartmental collaboration, implementing consistent training, and creating a safe environment for error tracking and constructive feedback.
- No support or growth plan
Marcy cites an example of a hospital that hired eight new sterile processing technicians and released all their experienced agency staff. The outcome was predictable:
- The hospital didn’t have an educator, so the manager and existing staff had to train these new hires while managing their own workload.
- Frustration set in among the existing team, and many left.
- The new technicians, overwhelmed and underprepared, also started leaving.
“Retention isn’t just about filling positions,” says Marcy. “It’s about supporting and equipping staff with the training and resources they need to succeed. This includes creating a career ladder — something like Tech 1, Tech 2, and specialized certifications in areas like orthopedics or cardiovascular cases. Clear growth opportunities help keep people invested in their roles and the department.”
- No workflow data
If you don’t measure something, you won’t be able to improve it — but you’ll still experience the consequences of its brokenness. Many issues in the SPD go untraced, creating problems both in and outside of the department. Proper measurement can prevent problems before they start and optimize SPD efficiency.
“One of the most exciting developments in our industry is the growing availability of data,” says Gregg. “For years, we’ve struggled to justify staffing needs, workflow improvements, or retention efforts because we didn’t have the numbers to back it up. Now, with better tools and reporting, we can measure efficiency, turnover, and workflow in ways that make a compelling case for change.”
Support for Your SPD
Have you been dealing with staffing problems in your SPD? Is it difficult to train and manage technicians due to turnover and lack of resources? SpecialtyCare can support your SPD through technician placement, SPD management, and tracking programs that will improve and optimize your SPD processes. When your SPD is running smoothly, your OR can run smoothly. We can help you turn your SPD from a problem center to a revenue generator. Contact us today to learn more.
