Sterile Processing

Q:  We are experiencing problems with damaged packaging, especially for our loaner sets.  This is causing delays in the operating room and a lot of frustration for the OR and sterile processing staff. What can be done to rectify this?

Q: I was at a conference recently and the speaker said that emergency eyewash stations are needed at all locations where chemicals are used. Can you provide more information on this?A: The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has a standard, American National Standard for Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment, Z358.1-2014. This document “establishes minimum performance and use requirements for eyewash and shower equipment” for anyone whose eyes or body have been exposed to hazardous materials or chemicals. This standard is also an excellent reference for “performance and use requirements for personal wash units and drench hoses, which are considered supplemental to emergency eyewash and shower equipment.”

For more than a millennia of medicine, the caregiver's oath has been, "Do no harm." Unfortunately for the sterile processing world, there are billions of microorganisms out there that are aiming at doing the exact opposite. The challenge is so great that most hospitals have entire departments dedicated to the mission of infection control, a practical sub-set of epidemiology concerned with preventing nosocomial (healthcare-associated) infections. Although there are countless areas of focus for these teams in a hospital setting, there are few more effective partners in winning the fight against infection than the sterile processing team.

Q: My facility does not launder our scrubs, we must take them home.  I have heard from other colleagues that their facilities provide and launder their scrubs.  What is the recommended dress code for SPD in the clean/sterile areas and should our scrubs be laundered by the facility?A: I can understand your confusion.  Unfortunately, not all facilities comply with the standards and therefore do not provide laundered scrubs to sterile processing staff.  I do not really understand the non-compliance by facilities when one considers that SPD personnel are preparing sterile product for use on patients.  Therefore very effort should be made to keep bioburden levels to a minimum.