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Introduction: The central sterile supply department (CSSD) is an integrated unit in a hospital that facilitates the sterilization process. Sterilization destroys all bacteria, viruses, spores, and other microorganisms from the surface of medical devices and supplies, including fluids, which cause the spread of infection when used during patient care. This department sterilizes reusable medical devices, linen, and surgical instruments by physical or chemical methods. Methodology: We adopted a systematic literature review method for this study. There are few comprehensive studies on the CSSD. This extensive review of CSSD is based on information retrieved from scientific databases (Google Scholar and Web of Science) and grey literature from organizations. All publications on safe and feasible methods of disinfection and sterilization processes in hospitals were reviewed. Information on workflow, responsibilities, infection prevention control (IPC) protocols, physical requirements, staffing requirements, and any special equipment used in the process of sterilization were reviewed. Results: About 300 articles were identified and relevant articles were selected for this review. The information was summarized to guide optimal standard settings for sterilizing reusable items in the CSSD. Special emphasis was given to identifying any unique methods or resource-demanding techniques of disinfecting and sterilizing, and any predefined layout that may facilitate maximum IPC and hygiene. Conclusions: This comprehensive review of the literature may serve as a guide for hospital IPC.

Operating Rooms (ORs) generate the largest revenues and losses in a hospital. Without the prompt supply of sterile surgical trays from the Sterile Processing Department (SPD), the OR would not be able to perform surgeries to its busy schedule. Nevertheless, little emphasis has been brought in the medical literature to research on surgical instrument processing in the medical literature. The present study was done applies an Enhanced Kaizen Event (EKE) in the SPD of a rural hospital to identify sources of waste and minimize non-value-added steps in the SPD processes. The EKE consisted of three successive Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycles, which focused on improvements at the departmental level first, then at an area level, and finally at the station level. The EKE yielded an improved streamlined workflow and a new design for the SPD layout, one of its areas, and a workstation. This paper aims at building a methodology, including identified steps. Results exhibited a 35% reduction in travel distance by the staff, eliminating non-value-added processes, reducing errors in the sterilization process, and eliminating cross-contamination for sterilized materials.

Background Unavailability of instruments is recognised to cause delays and stress in the operating room, which can lead to additional risks for the patients. The aim was to provide an overview of the hazards in the entire delivery process of surgical instruments and to provide insight into how Information Technology (IT) could support this process in terms of information availability and exchange. Methods The process of delivery was described according to the Healthcare Failure Mode and Effects Analysis methodology for two hospitals. The different means of information exchange and availability were listed. Then, hazards were identified and further analysed for each step of the process. Results For the first hospital, 172 hazards were identified, and 23 of hazards were classified as high risk. Only one hazard was considered as ‘controlled’ (when actions were taken to remove the hazard later in the process). Twenty-two hazards were ‘tolerated’ (when no actions were taken, and it was therefore accepted that adverse events may occur). For the second hospital, 158 hazards were identified, and 49 of hazards were classified as high risk. Eight hazards were ‘controlled’ and 41 were ‘tolerated’. The means for information exchange and information systems were numerous for both cases, while there was not one system that provided an overview of all relevant information. Conclusions The majority of the high-risk hazards are expected to be controlled by the use of IT support. Centralised information and information availability for different parties reduce risks related to unavailability of instruments in the operating room.

Balch cites that access to information in the sterile processing department (SPD) has never been greater than it is currently. Although we don't yet have speech-activated virtual assistants, such as Amazon's Alexa or Apple's Siri, to answer our sterile processing questions, frontline technicians and department leaders are quickly able to access a wealth of recommendations and best practices. Without a doubt, the \"information age\" has reached out and touched the SPD. The old cliche that \"knowledge is power\" is really only half-true. Although plenty of knowledge is stored in the Library of Congress, simply sleeping on the front steps won't change you or change the world. That kind of change requires a person to actually consume information, be changed by it, and spread that change to others--almost like a fire. But instead of destroying what it touches, a learning revolution sparked by sterile processing technicians can and will change the industry for the better, resulting in patient safety, as well as personal growth and professional pride.

In the 50 years since AAMI has been an organization, a lot has changed in the world of medical devices. These changes have been especially intense when it comes to the cleaning and sterilization of reusable medical devices. At one time, sterile processing technicians did not need complex skills to perform their jobs. Surgical instrumentation was basic, and it was relatively easy to teach a person how to clean and sterilize these instruments. Most surgical instrument sets contained a small number of items, with very few having complex features that required disassembly to clean. The most complex features, such as mated surfaces for scissors and box locks on certain instruments, could be easily cleaned with an ultrasonic washer. Inadequate cleaning of medical devices is a complicated issue with many potential causes, one of which involves the development of complex cleaning procedures. This complexity necessitates robust training for sterile processing technicians.