Special Edition on Sterile Processing Imperatives Special Edition- Sterile Processing Imperatives | Page 14

process tens of thousands of instruments according to the
manufacturers’ instructions for use. This is an impossible
expectation. We need to clean up our data and implement
systems that integrate the IFU processes into the normal
workflow. Sterile processing professionals should then be
trained and receive competencies that match that workflow.
In many departments there is a normalized deviancy or
complacency around processes. How often have we heard,
‘We’ve always done it this way,’ ‘I’ve been doing this for 20
years and never had a problem” or “I just got out of school
and this is what they taught me’? We must build teams
with those who have good critical thinking skills and who
are empowered to speak up, educate themselves and be a
part of improving their departments. We need a certified
workforce that is engaged and focused on doing what is
right for patient-centered care. These cultural issues can
sabotage any leader’s attempts to implement best practices.
Employee engagement and empowerment is the only way
to narrow the knowledge and implementation gaps.
HHM What are the best ways to course-correct techs,
and educate/train around proper processes?
Damien Berg (DB): The best way to address or
course-correct issues is to address them quickly and find
the root cause about why the issue or error is happening. I
often find good technicians working in broken processes. If
you do not know whether the incident is a trend or a fluke
or if you don’t know if it is rooted in an education problem
or is an actual process problem, then you can’t effectively
address it. Only after you know why the error happened
can you develop a plan to address it effectively. I personally
track and trend each issue and then we address issues on
a daily, weekly and monthly basis so that everyone knows
what our top three errors are and the team helps come up
with solutions, This is a ground-up approach and we are
transparent with our issues and celebrate our successes.
This has given me buy-in among the sterile processing and
operating room teams, which also leads to success
BM: The best way to course-correct is through strong
leadership in sterile processing. These departments long for,
desire and deserve leaders who will not take no for an answer.
They deserve leaders who will fight tenaciously for them
every day. Leaders who will stand up and say ‘enough!’ Every
decision made by these leaders should be viewed through
their “patient-colored” glasses. Every policy, procedure, and
competency should be developed with the patient in mind.
Gone are the days where we do things because we have
always done it that way. Sterile processing leaders must be
willing to say no, that’s not what the patient deserves. It’s
time for a leadership revolution.
BR: The best ways to course-correct techs is to invest
in their proper, ongoing training. Facilities must also invest
in the department to make sure we have all that we need
to be successful and make a difference in patient care and
outcomes. Sterile processing is the first and last line of
defense for the patient.
PT: I firmly believe in the power of ongoing education and
certification. Value your employees and reward those who
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put in the extra effort to improve themselves. If we want
our employees to be loyal and feel valued, then we must
give praise, appreciation and adequate compensation for
the hard work they do. I also advocate encouraging sterile
processing professionals to attend local seminars put on by
local IAHCSMM chapters, so they can learn from their peers.
There are thousands of other technicians who take pride in
the jobs they do, and others should experience that, too. I
know not all technicians can make it to a IAHCSMM annual
conference every year, but I’m a strong advocate for attending
because it’s an amazing educational experience and valuable
to see so many people who do the same thing we do every
day. I learn so much about the why, when and how of our
jobs with every new educational experience – whether it’s an
educational session at a conference or chapter meeting, an
in-service from a vendor representative or a webinar, podcast
or self-study lesson plan. There’s a wealth of knowledge
available and we need to take advantage of all the offerings
for ourselves and our staff. We need to help them love their
jobs and be proud of what we can accomplish together. We
are a force of protection for our patients.
Tony Thurmond (TT): The proper processes must
be identified and shared among an interdepartmental
disciplinary team, with an emphasis placed on working to
create better understanding for all involved; this will help
with the scheduling and allow adequate time to properly
process the items in need.
MW: When errors occur, they can be devastating to
the patient, surgical team and sterile processing technician
involved. Instead of jumping to blame, leaders should follow
a just culture model. The incident should be investigated by
conducting a root-cause analysis. Was there a system failure
or knowledge gap that led to this error? If so, it is important
to partner with the team involved to build a plan to improve
the system (using tools like process mapping, five whys,
and fishbone diagrams). If there was a knowledge gap, it
is good practice to work with the team involved to develop
an education plan to ensure a similar incident/occurrence
never happens again. If there was negligence or high-risk
behavior, leadership should work with their human resources
partners for the best path forward.
Teresa Young (TY): The more knowledge a sterile
processing professional has, the better outcome our patients
will have. IAHCSMM offers many terrific offerings for
continuing education and certification. I encourage sterile
processing professionals to attend conferences and I believe
their facilities should reimburse them because the education
received at these conferences is incredibly valuable – for the
individual, the department, the facility and, ultimately, the
patient. Education is the key to having successful outcomes
for our patients.” 
References:
ECRI Institute. Top 10 Health Technology Hazards for 2020.
Ofstead CL, Hopkins KM, Buro BL, Eiland JE and Wetzler HP. Challenges
in achieving effective high-level disinfection in endoscope reprocessing. Am
J Infect Control. March 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2019.09.013
Sterile Processing Imperatives 2020 • www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com