• The most pressing issue of Sterile
Processing today is the current system ’ s inability to ensure Sterile Processing technicians are set up for success with the tools , education and resources they need to follow manufacturers ’ instructions for use properly .
Damien Berg ( DB ): I truly believe that COVID-19 put the best practices we sterile processing professionals have all known into the spotlight – which was great because it reminded us about what to do every day and with almost every “ bug ” out there , COVID or not . I think the next pressing infection prevention issue of 2020 would be change fatigue and information overload ( what is the latest and what needs to be done and how tired staff are – will they start to slip or become complacent ?). What we are going through in 2020 is a marathon and we must be ready for that risk and be prepared to address it .
Patty Taylor ( PT ): Some of the most pressing issues were supply issues with personal protective equipment ( PPE ) and keeping ALL of our workers safe – from sterile processing and environmental services , to the nurses and physicians and everyone in between . This was a widespread issue for everyone and running out of PPE and still working wasn ’ t an option .
Marjorie Wall ( MW ): Surgical instruments continue to get more complex , while sterile processing departments ( SPDs ) continue to struggle with resources . We are seeing instruments come to market with difficult-to-follow instructions for use . These instruments are often brought into organizations by reps with no sterile processing training or background who do a “ show and tell ” in-service . SPD teams are left with the task of “ figuring out ” how to properly clean and process instruments without the tools , support or education they need . In many cases , this has resulted in instruments not being processed properly . Instruments that need to be disassembled for cleaning may not be disassembled . Lumens that need brushing and flushing may not be brushed and flushed . Complex instruments requiring sonication may not be sonic-ed . Instruments that need lubrication may not be lubricated , resulting in breakage during the surgical procedure . These failures lead to harm – whether from surgical site infection or patient injury from malfunctioning instrumentation . The most pressing issue of sterile processing today is the current system ’ s inability to ensure SPD technicians are set up for success with the tools , education and resources they need to follow manufacturers ’ instructions for use properly .
HHM What do you believe was the quality of the overall infection prevention / patient safety response on the part of healthcare facilities in 2020 ?
KM : Prior to 2020 , healthcare facilities have lacked standardization in infection prevention and control ( IP & C ) practices . This year in particular , given the COVID-19 pandemic , has highlighted some of those gaps . Infection control is a key component of quality and safety , and the principles of infection control should be applied to every action within the healthcare setting . However , we ’ re seeing a lack of standardization in practice , in the tracking and reporting of available personal protective equipment ( PPE ), relaxation of guidelines to accommodate PPE shortages , lack of standardization in IP & C education and training , and a lack of available “ just-in-time ” training and re-education for infection prevention amidst a crisis .
AMP : I am probably biased here , but I have been so proud and impressed with the performance of IPs who have been right there with the frontline staff – auditing safety practices , conducting just-in-time training on the units , etc . And when they couldn ’ t be there , they worked from home . IPs have been creative in terms of redesigning everything to ensure safety for staff and patients . I think it ’ s been stellar . I have only been impressed and amazed by the 24 / 7 work of EPIs and IPs . A great friend of mine who is a self-described germaphobe said to me , “ You people were borne for this !!” I think we have risen to the challenge . There ’ s a lot of PTSD and exhaustion among IPs . But here we are again , ramping back up even bigger than before .
LG : The infection prevention efforts in hospitals pivoted to accommodate the unknowns pertaining to COVID-19 . All work remained consistent with evidence-based practice but the scope expanded beyond the surveillance and prevention of HAIs to include working with facility engineers on positive / negative pressure areas , the flow of patient visitors , distancing needs throughout the facility including the waiting areas . The proper use of PPE , strategies when supplies are limited fell into the expanded scope of practice for the IPs . These efforts shined a light on the importance of infection prevention and the value of the infection preventionists ’ collaboration on the front lines of safety and patient care .
PT : I know our facility was in line with infection control when it came to safety issues with PPE . We were counting gloves , masks and gowns to be sure we were all protected – or there would be no cases .
MW : 2020 was earth-shattering to many people . The sterile processing ( SP ) industry has been pushed to the brink and back , many times over . In the beginning of the year we were pushed hard to process and support the operating rooms , then our worlds came to a stop as many states canceled all elective surgeries . SP technicians were deployed throughout facilities in other roles throughout the country . We took on new hats like environmental services and screening for temperatures at hospital entrances . We were scared for our friends and families , and in some cases , afraid to come into work . As an industry , we stood strong , supporting our clinical teams in ways we never thought we would . When we were asked to become experts on reprocessing N95s overnight , we took to the books and learned . We sought out subject matter experts and became subject matter experts . We ensured we followed the FDA ’ s Emergency Use Authorizations to ensure our frontline nurses were