Search

The article discusses the differences between peracetic acid high-level disinfectants and sterilants aimed to guide sterile processing professionals in proper selection and use. Cited are the effect of the product composition on chemistry performance, how external influencers such as temperature and water can impact the product's performance, and the impact of inactive ingredients on oxidative chemistry performance.

The article offers information on how Nemours Children's Hospital in Delaware has minimized the labor complexities and costs associated with sterile reprocessing of unused endoscopes while safeguarding care. Cited are the risk assessment, scouring standards and published research for evidence to support change that the team has completed, the consumable cost savings from the change, and the significance of collaboration and communication in minimizing reprocessing variations.

The article presents lessons for continuing education about the sterile processing and distribution focusing on vacuum alterations.

The article discusses the challenges of endoscope reprocessing and documentation. It suggests the use of medical device asset management software and referencing manufacturer instructions for use and guidance documents to aid the processing of endoscopes and documentation. It identifies considerations for point-of-use treatment or pre-cleaning of endoscopes which starts in the procedure room, as well as considerations for leak test and manual cleaning of endoscopes.

The article shares insights on setting standards in room cleaning and disinfection in health care delivery settings, particularly perioperative and critical care spaces. It informs about the revised requirements approved by the Joint Commission for infection prevention and control standards and outlines elements of performance from these requirements. The importance of collaboration among environmental services, infection prevention, perioperative and critical care teams is discussed.

The article profiles some of the 40 healthcare industry achievers under 40 years of age from Healthcare Purchasing News in 2024. Topics covered include the healthcare practitioners' identities, professional positions, years of experience, hometowns, alma matters, and favorite healthcare challenges. Also noted are their favorite hobby, musician, and movie of all time.

A Continuing Education Unit (CEU) on sterile processing quality management systems is presented.

The article offers discusses cleaning and verification of reusable medical devices by sterile processing (SP) teams as of August 2024. Topics covered include research and challenges on manufacturer instructions for use (IFU), the ANSI/AAMI ST108 Water for Processing Medical Devices standard, and opportunities and recommendations for improving cleaning and verification processes. Also noted are insights on real world cleaning challenges and best practices from NYU Langone Health SP leaders.

The article provides tips for a new sterile processing technician. Topics discussed include potential hazards posed by processing used surgical instrumentation and medical devices to technicians, personal protective equipment (PPE) requirement typically associated with sterile processing activities, and importance of establishing a professional relationship with colleagues.

The article summarizes the responses of sterile processing (SP) professionals and providers of SP department products, equipment, and services to a survey by the journal on the key considerations in instrument reprocessing site selection. Topics include important factor when considering a change in one's SP operations, the need to put people at the top of the consideration list, and reason that a move to offsite reprocessing forces constant communication between the SP and operating room teams.

The article refers to product testing as an overlooked aspect of a sterilization process monitoring program in healthcare facilities. It reviews the definitions of verification and validation provided in the American National Standards Institute/Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (ANSI/AAMI) ST77:2013 2018 Containment Devices for Reusable Medical Device Sterilization. It discusses VH202 sterilization and manufacturers' validation of rigid sterilization containers.

The article explains the role of people, processes and products cleaning in sterile processing and their importance to patient safety and care. It discusses the significance of training, and education, washer testing and workplace safety. It encourages investment in technology like automatic flushing systems and borescopes, as well as having access to standards and guidelines. Cleaning products, equipment and solutions for sterile processing include instrument brushes and cleaning chemistries.

An interview with autonomous disinfection system maker Shyld AI co-founder and chief executive officer Mohammad Noshad is presented. Topics mentioned include the role of artificial intelligence in healthcare setting, how the artificial intelligence technologies can do in the prevention of infection and the effectiveness of artificial intelligence in ultraviolet sanitization.

The article identifies considerations for transitioning endoscopes from high level disinfection (HLD) to sterilization as the standard of care. It discusses the issue of toxic emissions of ethylene oxide that is driving the transition of healthcare facilities. Recommendations for transitioning from HLD to sterilization include formation of multidisciplinary team, assessment of endoscope inventory and endoscope reprocessing locations, and evaluation of staff resources, equipment and workflows.

The article chronicles the evolution of vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP) sterilization. It highlights the focus on VHP sterilization to replace ethylene oxide (EO) and address sterile processing challenges, VHP sterilization used to preserve device integrity, fast terminal cycle to reduce immediate-use steam sterilization, and clearing of sterilization application for three-dimensionally (3D) printed medical models. It discusses the difference of VHP sterilization from steam and EO sterilizers

The article shares tips for point of use (POU) surgical/device pre-treatment success. These include preventing the formation of biofilms by cleaning and decontamination, pre-treatment compliance by the sterile processing (SP) department, explaining the important role of the operating room team in pre-treatment, collaboration of SP teams with all areas of POU pre-treatment, documentation, establishing key performance indicators for point of use treatment and addressing issues in a timely manner.

The article discusses the importance of water quality control in the cleaning of healthcare products, particularly medical devices used in surgical procedures like opthalmic viscosurgical devices. Other topics include the effects of water quality on the sterile processing department and the guidelines of organizations like the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) on the use of tap water for cleaning.

The article announces that the Sterile Processing Department (SPD) of the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago has received the journal's 2024 SPD of the Year Award.

The article describes some advanced digital technologies for the sterile processing department of a hospital. Topics mentioned include the role of artificial intelligence and bots in automating preference card maintenance, the need to integrate electronic health record and instrument tracking system to improve pick sheet accuracy, and the struggle of sterile processing professionals to access the manufacturer instructions for use.

An interview with Monika Berrier, director of the Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE) Education, is presented. Berrier talks about why environmental services are important to hospital systems, the skills-driven training subscription designed for EVS teams called Skill.Set.Go, and how managers or supervisors can get c-suite or leadership support for EVS training.

The article shares the views of several health care suppliers on how they demonstrate exemplary customer services. Topics discussed include the role of access to service, convenience and quick response on an effective sourcing and logistics model, challenges faced by the customers of the health care suppliers, and how the suppliers assisted the customers to address and solve the challenges.

The article examines the role and potential of ultraviolet (UV) technologies in disinfecting the air and surfaces in healthcare settings, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Topics include challenge faced by healthcare organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic, how UVC disinfection works, and the need to understand which method of generating ultraviolet is the most effective for a particular application and against a given pathogen.

The article discusses the importance of hygiene protocols and practices to patient and healthcare worker safety in hospitals or healthcare facilities. Topics include hygiene practices that begin with the hands as one of the easiest ways to ensure established protocols are met, views of chief medical affairs and science officer Linda Lee of UV Angel on good hygiene, and most noted and quoted replies from industry professionals about the best way to maintain hygiene accountability.

The article provides information on manual cleaning process for sink. Topics discussed include six types of hazards according to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), hazards faced by technicians performing manual cleaning, and hierarchy of controls defined by OSHA based upon its efficacy.

The article offers information on several products related to sterile processing including SterilTite containers, Midmark Synthesis Cabinetry and DSI Sterileshelf clean storage technology.

The article shares the experiences of healthcare organizations in achieving success in the containment, transport and storage processes. Topics mentioned include the role of transportation of contaminated items in reducing the risk for cross-contamination for patients, visitors and personnel staff, the importance of collaboration between sterile processing professionals and clinicians and the inspection of clinic courier process.

The article discusses the importance of water quality in any process within a sterile processing department (SPD). Topics include negative outcomes that can be caused by inadequate water quality during medical reprocessing, definition given by the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) on two categories of water quality for medical device reprocessing, and treatment of water for the SPD.

An interview with the team of Leah Schild, the clinical operations director at Surgery & Procedures and Department of Anesthesiology for Gundersen Health, including registered nurses Alysha Esteves Del Rosario, Carlye Hart, and Tanya Brueggen, is presented. Topics include what Gundersen Health has seen in terms of successes or wins in the last 12-28 months, what has changed regarding surgical suite turnover, and the biggest challenge when it comes to surgical suite turnover.

The article shares mechanical cleaning safety measures when handling dirty medical devices. It reminds technicians about hazards and safety features of equipment like ultrasonic cleaners, washer disinfectors and cart washers. It enumerates the personal protective equipment required whenever chemistries are manually added or removed from mechanical equipment. It advises unplugging of equipment and working with waste management team when dealing with contaminated equipment.

The article shares stories of operating room workflow reprocessing improvements at two U.S. hospitals driven by multidisciplinary collaboration. It highlights the instrument utilization project and cloud-based clinical inventory management system implementation at Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton, Pennsylvania. It shows the change of biological indicators, instrument set matching and use of surgical instrument tracking software at St. Tammany Health System in Covington, Louisiana. INSET: Planning reprocessing improvements in 2024? Consider these 3 fact.

The article discusses guidance for the proper sterilization of surgical instruments. Topics discussed include high temperature sterilization process through steam sterilization, the use of vaporized hydrogen peroxide in low temperature sterilization process, and quality control monitoring practices for the sterilization process based on standards from the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI).

The article discusses the proactive approach of the Sanford Hospital Sioux Falls Central Processing/Surgical Services (SP) department with regards to endoscope processing standards. Topics discussed include the aeration and drying of endoscopes before storage to prevent the growth of bacteria and the formation of biofilm, the proper scope storage to protect them from damage and contamination, and the transport of scopes via the two-cabinet process.

The article discusses the insights of executives from medical/surgical equipment manufacturers about the future of surgical beds, tables and exam chairs as a trio of patient-centered workhorses. Topics discussed include the aim to reduce clinical staff's workload through efficient workflow, health care providers' aim of integrating devices and systems within the care area, and the next-generation models of surgical beds, chairs and tables which will include complete luxury and luxury cleaning.

The article discusses documentation-application balancing in a sterile processing education. Topics discussed include organizations' need to check and abide with varying criteria of facilities to maintain their deemed status, and continuing education's need to reflect the same processes alongside additional vital competencies. Also noted are educators' need to be aware of learning styles and use PowerPoint presentations, tip sheets, and pathways or checklists to engage students.

The article offers insights on the approach of healthcare organizations to shifting sterile reprocessing strategies and location. Topics discussed include consolidation and centralization of non-acute areas into single reprocessing site, models used by ambulatory surgery centers to leverage resources and structure reprocessing, changes in endoscope reprocessing, impact of device and instrument type on reprocessing, and factors driving healthcare organizations for reprocessing site.

The article features Dayton Children's Hospital's sterile processing department (SPD). Topics discussed include benefits of the collaboration of SPD team with operating room (OR) staff, how the SPD team improves the effectiveness, safety and efficiency of endoscope reprocessing, and a central theme and guiding principle among Dayton Children's Hospital's SPD staff members.

The article discusses the why, who, where, what and when or the (5Ws) of successful point-of-use treatment in the operating room. These include why point-of-use treatment is important, who performs point-of-use treatment and where it is done, and when and what should be done in point-of-use treatment.

The article presents a self-study lesson and examination about creating core competencies. Topics discussed include the meaning of competency and how technical application is measured against quality expectations, the responsibility of sterile processing professionals to assess department processes and proficiencies, and identification of when remediation is necessary and which evaluation categories can be used to create a remediation plan.

The article suggests best practices to consider to enhance protocols and infection prevention. Topics discussed include success of germicidal ultraviolet (UV) systems at purifying air and exposed surfaces as a growing trend in air and surface cleaning disinfection, suggestion from Megan Henken of Medline on one way to drive improved outcomes, and importance of working relationship between the infection prevention and sterile processing departments in hospitals and healthcare facilities.

The article discusses the importance of using the right rack, choosing the right cycle, and servicing the washer-disinfector in the success of cleaning. Topics include the goal of mechanical cleaning, significance of the collaboration between the instrument manufacturers and washer-disinfector manufacturers, and advantages of the proper placement of items contained in the load.

The article discusses the need of the medical industry experts for improved options to overcome the challenges of air/surface cleaning and disinfection. Topics include how hospitals and healthcare facilities can meet established infection prevention protocols, the problem regarding insufficient staff and incomplete training, and infection prevention and industry prognosis.

The article provides updates on the progress of the American National Standards Institute/Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (ANSI/AAMI)ST91:2021 standard. Topics discussed include background on the development of the standard, rules on visual inspection and cleaning verification, and tips for navigating change.

The article discusses the importance and benefits and conducting planning sessions for sterile processing (SP) leaders and teams. Topics include factors that allow for the operating room (OR) and SP staff to ensure that a surgical procedure can occur, role of an SP manager, and a simulated session between SP professionals discussing the issue only after it has been brought to leadership's attention.

The article discusses best practices that sterile processing (SP) teams can employ for both manual and automated instrument cleaning which were shared by manufacturers of SP cleaning equipment and supplies. Topics include comments from Nancy Fellows on the implementation of best practice, recommendation by John Kimsey to help drive decontamination instructions for use (IFU) compliance, and advice from Adam Okada when it comes to resources for instrument cleaning.

The article offers information on critical operational assessments to be performed by end-users after maintenance of surgical instruments and other reusable medical devices that are processed in a hospital sterile processing department (SPD) before release for use. Topics discussed include the importance of cleaning before sterilization of these medical devices, the use of automated washers for an SPD, and the importance of water quality in using an automated washer.

The article focuses on insights from the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN), Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD) professionals and endoscope manufacturers on the revised Guideline for Processing Flexible Endoscopes released by the AORN. Topics discussed include the reason behind the revision of the guidelines, the four major practice changes in the guideline, and the impact of these changes on CSSD teams.

The article examines the importance of quality cleaning verification programs to help technicians determine whether or not a medical device is verifiably clean and ready for high-level disinfection or sterilization. Topics discussed include overview on cleaning verification, suggestion to healthcare facilities in establishing a cleaning verification program, and ways of optimizing cleaning verification program.

The article presents advice given by Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD), Infection Prevention (IP) and Perioperative professionals on collaborative quality improvements and working with multidisciplinary team in U.S. healthcare organizations. Topics discussed include role played by sterile processing in infection prevention, and importance for operating room (OR) and sterile processing department (SPD) staff to work hand in hand.