Bridging the Gap: Why OR Nurses Must Understand Sterile Processing to Boost Safety

Kevin Anderson, MBA, BS, CRCST, presented "Critical Sterile Processing Knowledge: Enhancing OR Efficiency and Safety " at the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses in Boston, Massachusetts, from April 5 to 8, 2025. The presentation kept the audience engaged, laughing, and learning.

After the presentation, Infection Control Today® caught up with Anderson. “[My presentation] was all about sterile processing [SP] and how nurses could implement some different practices to better partner with SP for better efficiency and patient safety,” Anderson said. “The key takeaway is that we have to get curious about SPD [SP department]. We must walk a mile in their shoes. Cross-training would be great; more than a couple of hours a day would be ideal, and a week would be even better. But get curious about it. Learn about insulation testing, learn about shavers, all these complex devices that we use every single day.”

During the presentation, Anderson began by stating that key SP procedures can enhance patient safety and reduce surgical site infections (SSIs). His presentation focused on strategies involving the operating room (OR), the SPD, and the SP manager. As a previous OR nurse, Anderson is in a unique position to understand both sides of the exchange. His presentation was to explain to perioperative nurses what happens in the SPD.

One of his first comments about the complexity of what happens in the SPD was, “If you’re not doing [SPD procedures] right, only a few minutes will suffice, I guess.” This comment drew a laugh from the audience. A few minutes are not enough to learn all that goes on in an SPD. He explained in depth how SPD processes are “time-consuming.”

Anderson discussed shavers, saying that these “complex devices” are a “known cause of SSIs.” He said that the implementation of strategies is at the point of use. He encouraged the audience to “educate yourself,” and to round together with the SPD and OR leaders.

He also discussed training and highlighted the CNOR certification, even for perioperative nurses, and encouraged SPD departments to bring in independent consultants to gain a new perspective on how to improve SPD processes.