The Infection Control Today® sterile processing page provides an inside look into the sterile processing (or central supply) department in the hospital where surgical instruments are cleaned, sterilized, and reprocessed in order to disinfect, remove bioburden, and prep for upcoming procedures. Sterile processing applies to not only the knives, scalpels, scissors, forceps, and clamps used in surgery, but also instruments such as endoscopes and duodenoscopes. ICT® reports on the latest technology but also on the means to disinfect that technology. Also, the trend toward making more disposable surgical equipment. What does that mean for the sterile processing team?
November 19th 2024
Learn how Germitec’s Chronos uses patented UV-C technology for high-level disinfection of ultrasound probes in 90 seconds, enhancing infection control, patient safety, and environmental sustainability.
Joint Commission Alert is a Another Wake-Up Call for Awareness of Improper HLD or Sterilization
August 13th 2014In a Quick Safety message to its accredited facilities in May, the Joint Commission (JC) alerted healthcare organizations regarding surveyor observations of increased non-compliance with standard IC.02.02.01, which requires accredited facilities to reduce the risk of infections associated with medical equipment, devices and supplies. Last year, according to the Joint Commission, this aforementioned standard was one of the top five non-compliant requirements for JC-accredited hospitals, critical-access hospitals, and ambulatory and office-based surgery facilities.
Where are My Instruments and Sterile Supplies?
August 13th 2014As sterile processing department (SPD) professionals, the questions often heard asked by surgeons, nurses and scrub techs are: “Where are my instruments?” or “Where are my supplies?” These two questions are usually asked when patients are already in the operating room (OR) suite prepped for a lifesaving procedure, when at this point any significant delay could result in infection or death. Occasionally the answer is “I don’t know,” which escalates the situation, resulting in high levels of anxiety for all parties involved. Unfortunately for SPD providers, during a busy day the answer is true, they simply do not know. When the search begins it can be hampered by numerous conversations and phone calls followed by panic for reasons which the OR has little understanding.