Sterile Processing

The intent of this article is to answer some questions regarding which government agency or department regulates different classes of antimicrobials (disinfectants, sterilants), as well what is required to develop a 510(k) submission package for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) review, comment and ultimate clearance related to new high-level disinfectants (HLDs) and automated endoscope reprocessor (AERs).

There is no question that the work done by central service (CS) departments in healthcare organizations across the country has a direct impact on the health and safety of patients. The technicians in CS departments are charged with properly sterilizing instruments used in patient carefrom the operating room suites to clinical areasand getting the right instruments to the physicians when they need them. Important work, no doubt, but another question remains. Can the satisfaction these internal customersthe doctors, nurses and others working in the hospital and clinichave with CS make an impact on our external customersthe patients we serve? At Gundersen Lutheran Health System, we believe the answer is yes, and have set a goal to provide the best possible customer service not only for our patients, but for one another.

As a healthcare professional, you are keenly aware of the need to keep patients healthy. Its a need that motivates you and drives you to continuously improve in your profession. Now its time we, as an industry, use that same kind of passion toward improving the healthcare system.

ICT spoke with Marilyn Conde, CRCST, MAOM, FCS, manager of material management at St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood, Calif. and a member of the board of the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM).