Sterile Processing

SterileProcessingLifecycle of an instrument.

Sterile Processing

A core foundation of every Sterile Processing Department (SPD) is the ability to keep patients safe and that starts with an efficient and effective SPD. When the stakes are high, the success of an operating room increases with cross-departmental collaboration in Sterile Processing.

We aim to build a more collaborative relationship between the SPD and the operating room through education and insight from both perspectives. Understanding the cause and effect of when issues arise helps each department realize how vital each team member’s role is in the surgical process. Through building teamwork, communication, and education, we can help your Sterile Processing Department become more efficient and meet the ultimate goal of providing safe patient care.

$9.8B spent every year by the U.S. healthcare system to treat the top HAIs, one-third of which are from SSIs 1
3-12 months average SPD Technician training time depending on the facility, state-wide legislation and previous experience 2
13%-21.9% opened instruments ultimately used 3

Best Practice Guidance

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PPE, OR, SPD, sterile, processing, gloves, masks, gown
Proper PPE for the Sterile Processing Department

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Best Practices for Instrument Transportation

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PPE, SPD, sterile, processing, gloves, mask, gown, eye shield
Best Practices for Point-of-Use Instrument Processing

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education and training

Build sustainable knowledge with 24/7 access to online courses

Unrecognizable technician picking dental pliers and lever from an autoclave sterilizer.
Best Practices for High Level Disinfection (1.0 CE for Central Sterile Techs)

Implement best practices throughout the disinfection process.

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Two gloved hands placing a tray of surgical instruments on a surgical table with blue drape
Are Your Instruments Really Clean (1.0 CE for Central Sterile Techs)

Master best practices for decontamination.

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SPD worker facing away from camera wearing blue scrubs pulling instrument tray out of sterilization machine
The Critical Role of the Sterile Processing Department Staff (1.0 CE for Central Sterile Techs and Nurses)

Explore the entire instrument life cycle and the critical role of central sterile technicians in preventing SSIs.

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Gloved hand handing surgical instrument to another gloved hand
Are Your Items Sterile (0.75 CE for Central Sterile Techs)

Review steam sterilization parameters and discuss recommended quality assurance testing of steam sterilizers.

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Male central sterile tech facing away from the camera standing in front of a surgical tray that is ready to be wrapped.
Packaging to Facilitate Sterilization and Sterility Maintenance (1.0 CE for Central Sterile Techs and Nurses)

Master how to select, handle, and use the most appropriate packaging for devices intended for sterilization and subsequent storage.

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Sterile processing department
Essentials of Flexible Endoscope Reprocessing (1.0 CE for Central Sterile Techs and Nurses)

Identify challenges and common pitfalls in the cleaning process, as well as the danger of bacterial and viral exposure.

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case studies and clinical evidence

Drive evidence-based practices and support a culture of safety

References
  1. Dancer SJ, Stewart M, Coulombe C, Gregori A, Virdi M. Surgical site infections linked to contaminated surgical instruments. J Hosp Infect. 2012 Aug;81(4):231-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2012.04.023. Epub 2012 Jun 15. PMID: 22704634.
  2. Chobin, Nancy. "The real costs of surgical instrument training in sterile processing revisited." AORN journal 92.2 (2010): 185-193. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20678607/
  3. Nast K, Swords KA. Decreasing operating room costs via reduction of surgical instruments. J Pediatr Urol. 2019 Apr;15(2):153.e1-153.e6. doi: 10.1016/j.jpurol.2019.01.013. Epub 2019 Jan 28. PMID: 30846251