The responsibility of sterile processing should be assigned to qualified individuals who have demonstrated competence in all aspects of sterile processing .”
Competency checklists must be reviewed at least once every six months to determine areas in need of improvement . Managers should ensure the checklist is current , taking into consideration any changes to equipment or internal processes , and whether any standards updates occurred that could require a change to current practices .
Most competency checklists should be completed at least once a year , or more often if a process is complex . If more errors have been identified in certain areas or for certain processes , an impromptu competency review may be necessary . Keeping a close eye on processes and employee training is necessary for promoting ongoing quality and safety .
Competency checklists may be developed from instructions for use of products or equipment , or from published standards such as those from the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation ( AAMI ), the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses ( AORN ) and others .
Competency reviews of each technician must be reviewed by a competent technician , educator or manager who has also demonstrated working knowledge and expertise of the area being reviewed / assessed . The checklist must be signed by both the evaluator and the individual being evaluated . After the review , the competency must be placed in the employee ’ s file where it can be accessed for review as needed .
Competency checklists or reviews are considered a mandatory requirement in each department , and they allow departmental leaders to assess areas in need of improvement and gauge employees ’ consistent adherence to best practices .
Checklists can also lead to more standardization regarding how tasks and processes are performed , which can further lead to performance improvement and error reduction .
Another valuable resource is the IAHCSMM webinar “ Understanding and Developing a Competency Program ”( available until Sept . 30 , 2021 ); members can view IAHCSMM ’ s webinars at no cost ( non-member rate is $ 15 ).
Tony Thurmond , CRCST , CIS , CHL , is an IAHCSMM past-president and serves as central service manager at Dayton Children ’ s Hospital .
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