SP professionals must have the support to ensure they have the proper tools , technologies , work environment , processes and procedures to manage their challenging workloads effectively each day and across all shifts .” budgets , instrument lifespan , and patient safety . Failure to support a robust surgical instrument repair and maintenance program can affect not only instrument / device quality but also the duration in which an instrument or set is unavailable due to extensive repairs or need for replacement .
The time it takes SP professionals to locate an adequate instrument replacement can also jeopardize patient safety . When instruments in use aren ’ t properly maintained , patients can experience longer procedures , extended anesthesia exposure and other negative outcomes . One example : if insulation in laparoscopic insulation becomes compromised , patients can experience life-altering thermal injuries .
Inadequate instrument inventory
Many organizations fail to invest in the appropriate number of instruments or sets to support their surgical programs and case volume . As a result , SP professionals must repeatedly reprocess the available sets in inventory , which again can result in case delays ( or unsafe rushing of processes to meet demand ), device overuse , added work , diminished staff and physician satisfaction , and increased patient risk . Additionally , healthcare organizations often fail to effectively address SP needs and growth patterns , surgical volume changes or the addition of new physicians and specialties .
To better support these programs , SP leaders must be kept informed of changes so they can prepare for and meet customers ’ evolving needs . New physician recruitment is critical for advancing surgical programs and offering specialties communities need ; however , those in the SPD cannot support physicians effectively and efficiently in the absence of proper information , tools , equipment , space / workflow , and staffing . SP leaders must also be involved in instrument purchasing discussions to ensure that the SPD has the necessary resources to process and manage the new devices or equipment according to IFU and standards .
As surgical procedures become increasingly complex , and the instruments required to support those programs become more sophisticated and challenging to clean , inspect and otherwise manage , it is imperative that organizations give SP professionals the deeper support needed to perform their daily responsibilities safely , effectively and efficiently .
David Taylor III , MSN , RN , CNOR , is an independent hospital and ambulatory surgery center consultant and the principal of Resolute Advisory Group LLC , in San Antonio , Texas . He has served as an HSPA contributing author since 2019 .
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