Special Edition on Sterile Processing Imperatives Special Edition- Sterile Processing Imperatives | Page 23

Leveraging resources, like oneSOURCE,
that arm healthcare professionals with
24/7 access to the documents they need
to maintain these standards enables facility
staff to provide the safest environment
possible, while also administering
quality patient care. Unique programs
and segmented databases, including
YOUR
ONE AND ONLY
SOURCE FOR
THE LATEST
COVID-19 IFU S
oneSOURCE’s recent database dedicated
to COVID-19 which focuses on respiratory
equipment and reusable surgical gowns,
are integral in decreasing the spread of
these contagious diseases.
“Without sterile instruments,
a surgeon is just a person
with a mask and gloves!”
Upholding compliance while following
stringent IFUs has never been more vital to
humanity and it is critical that all depart-
ments enforce these policies facility-wide.
While these practices should already be
Sterile Processing. Two words with
enormous impact.
Author: Sharon Greene-Golden, oneSOURCE consultant and Manager Adventist
Health Care Shady Grove Medical Center BA, CRCST, CER, SME, FC
set in stone, this is the time to embrace
another layer of quality assurance.
IFUs come in all shapes and sizes;
some are well put together and others
are questionable. It is our fiduciary
responsibility to make sure we have the
Clean, and then clean again - and will not, even with the most updated and accurate IFUs available
this is sterile processing 101 rampant introduction of a new so they can easily be implemented into
at its finest. With COVID-19 on virus into our facilities and a practitioner’s workflow.
the rise and a new level of safety daily lives. We are required precautions being taken into as professionals to hold true As I’ve said many times, “Without sterile
consideration for the general to the rules and regulations instruments, a surgeon is just a person
public, some may ask what does or environmental cleaning with a mask and gloves!” In this current
this mean for healthcare facilities? in sterile processing departments. situation, this statement applies to us
How do hospitals and medical The process of rigorous all. As we continue to navigate how to
professionals help to decrease cleaning curbs the number maintain safe practices both inside and
the spread of infectious diseases? of microorganisms that can outside healthcare facilities, it’s pertinent
For us, the process of sterile be transmitted to the patient to abide by the basic tenets of sterile
processing has not changed, and the healthcare worker. processing: clean, sanitize and repeat.
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