Sterile processing presents critical challenges for many hospitals, and it’s important to understand what’s creating errors and inefficiencies that affect the OR — and at worst, patients themselves. SpecialtyCare assists a number of hospitals with sterile processing optimization and management, so 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 talk about key issues in the SPD as well as primary goals that every SPD should have.
Both Greg and Marcy each have over 30 years of experience primarily in sterile processing. Greg’s background is in the manufacturing side, pertaining to business, operations, and quality, and he is Six Sigma certified through the University of Michigan. Marcy comes from the clinical side, having started as a technician at a large hospital before eventually running the department. She then transitioned to an off-site reprocessing facility as a director, and after SpecialtyCare purchased the facility, she became an SPD consultant.
The Root of Modern SPD Problems
Sterile processing has been around for a long time, so why are so many problems evident today? Gregg explains how much has changed — and the challenges that have arisen in the modern era.
“Historically, sterile processing was centralized because sterilization was complex. Back in the 1930s and 1940s, equipment was rudimentary, akin to pressure cookers. Nurses managed the sterilizers, but the instrumentation was much simpler. The American College of Surgeons recommended centralizing sterile processing to maintain control,” says Gregg.
“Fast forward to today: while sterilization equipment has become more automated and user-friendly, the instrumentation has grown vastly more complex. This complexity makes it nearly impossible for undertrained or inexperienced personnel to handle the work effectively. Nancy Chobin’s 2008 study estimated that training an SPD technician took 9-12 months and cost $51,000–$52,000. Adjusting for inflation, it’s now likely closer to $65,000. High turnover only compounds these challenges.”
Hurdles with SPD Tech Training
Administrators often balk at the timeline and costs of SPD training. We asked Marcy what’s realistic from a clinical perspective.
“Training truly takes 9-12 months to feel confident,” Marcy says. “When I started, I was terrified every time the OR called because I wasn’t sure I’d know the instrument they needed. Today’s instruments are far more complex, and cleaning and inspecting them properly requires understanding their intricate details.
“It’s great to promote people from within, but only with a comprehensive orientation and education plan. SPD technicians need to understand not just how to clean and inspect instruments but also what they’re used for in the OR. This knowledge enables better inspection and quality control.
“Our goal is simple but crucial: instruments must be available, functional, and safe (AFS). That means they’re ready when needed, in working order, and sterilized correctly. Achieving this requires skilled, well-trained personnel.”
What’s Required to Run an Efficient SPD
One of the main issues facing today’s SPDs is a lack of understanding regarding what it really takes to run an efficient department. There are many more moving parts than there used to be, and the impact of inefficiency is poorly measured, even though hospitals are continuously footing the bill for errors and lost OR revenue. According to third party research, it’s estimated that each SPD event costs a hospital $6,000 or more.
“The profession’s evolution has left outdated mindsets behind,” says Gregg. “Decades ago, SPD could be staffed by minimally trained workers supervised by competent nurses. Today, that approach fails because of the complexity of instruments like flexible endoscopes and minimally invasive surgical tools.
“We need to treat sterile processing as a true profession, providing proper training, recognition, and opportunities for growth. Without this, high turnover leads to more errors — missing, broken, or contaminated instruments — and jeopardizes patient safety.”
Need Help with Your SPD?
Are you dealing with costly OR delays, staff dissatisfaction, and high turnover due to inefficiencies in the SPD? SpecialtyCare can help. We’re trusted by over 1,200 hospitals across our service lines, and we have the expertise you need to optimize your SPD for cost savings and improved performance. What affects the SPD affects the OR, and we can provide the consulting, technicians, and management you need to keep both departments running smoothly. Contact us today to learn more!
