Defining quality in the sterile processing department (SPD) is a challenge for many healthcare organizations and hospitals. Most of the time spent on sterile processing is not about improvement but about fighting turnover and doing damage control when delays or errors occur. However, when quality is quantified and measured, the SPD can improve by leaps […]
How Do You Define Quality in Sterile Processing? Read More »
Problems in the SPD can be costly, affecting workflow and processes in the OR — and in the very worst cases, harming patients. The challenges are not unknown: instrument volume and complexity have increased, but adequate training and staff are often lacking. The pressure for quick turnaround times only exacerbates these issues. To improve SPD
Effective SPD Management Tools: How to Prevent Problems and Improve Efficiency Read More »
Six months ago, we wrote about our team’s success in the Central Sterile Department at Fairfield Medical Center in Lancaster, Ohio. We discussed how the hospital’s physical location was a challenge for staffing because there was, and still is, a lack of knowledge of our profession in the community. Steven Teaford, MA, BS, CRCST, CER,
Fairfield Medical Center Continues to Thrive Read More »
Recently, many sterile processing departments (SPDs) have implemented disposable/single-use-only endoscopic devices. There has been media buzz surrounding the development of these new instruments, and many people believe that it’s leading to more infections. Although endoscopes are challenging to disinfect and sterilize, SPD leaders want to ensure that those on the front lines remain grounded in
Gregory Agoston Featured in November HPN Edition Read More »
Fairfield Medical Center’s Sterile Processing Department recently discussed the realm of sterile processing, everyday responsibilities, the impact that sterile processing has on patients, and achieving surgeon satisfaction. Scope of Focus External processing focuses on providing hospitals and other medical facilities with clean, sterilized instruments for a broad spectrum of procedures. The primary goal is to
How Fairfield Medical Center Tackles Sterile Processing Read More »
How to Handle the Post-Pandemic Challenges of the Sterile Processing Department Like all hospital departments, the sterile processing department (SPD) was forced to adapt to the obstacles presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. While the pandemic isn’t entirely in our rear view, surgical volume is rising once more and COVID cases are declining thanks to vaccinations.
How to Handle the Post-Pandemic Challenges of the Sterile Processing Department Read More »
It’s a primary goal for sterile processing departments to operate at peak efficiency while maintaining the highest level of patient safety. Technicians must possess adequate knowledge and understanding of the sterile processing environment while demonstrating a solid understanding of performing specific tasks, processes, and procedures. This sets the foundation for a well-rounded and experienced sterile
Which Competencies Should Your SPD Have? Read More »
An underperforming sterile processing department (SPD) can be the source of dramatic hidden costs, both financially and in terms of patient outcomes. The sterile processing department is always viewed as a cost center, but the truth is that it holds the potential for significant savings, improved outcomes, and financial rewards. With changes in the way
Turn Your “Cost Center” SPD into a Revenue Generator Read More »
Every day, healthcare facilities’ sterile processing departments handle thousands of reusable surgical instruments and devices. The department reprocesses the used instruments so they are ready for the next surgical caseload. According to the CDC, critical items confer a high risk for infection if they are contaminated with any microorganism. Thus, objects that enter sterile tissue
Advocating for Safer Surgery- Principle #4: Sterilization Read More »
Innovations in healthcare have outpaced the generalized sterile processing department capabilities. Rapid advancement in surgical procedures has necessitated the creation of advanced surgical instruments, many of them complex in design. The increase in the number and complexity of tools as well as surgical procedures has likewise increased the following: An inability to clean complex tools
SPD Specialization is Becoming a Necessity Read More »
