Researchers outline the key processes affecting surgical instrument readiness, which can directly affect patient safety, according to an article published in AORN Journal.
Various studies have shown how lack of instrument availability could cause high levels of stress among healthcare professionals and be detrimental to healthcare delivery. In order to maintain instrument readiness, the following processes must be implemented and regularly evaluated:
Preference cards: Preference cards help staff members gather what is needed for each procedure and alert the appropriate personnel of any equipment unavailability. These cards should be updated on a regular basis. Clinicians should only identify and open what is needed on the preference cards rather than all supplies listed.
Inventory lists: Inventory lists could cause delays in instrument readiness if they are inaccurate or contain confusing information. Instruments can be known by different names in varying parts of a healthcare facility.
Instrument handling: This requires regularly checking sterilization indicators, packaging before opening instruments, using an aseptic technique in instrument handling and using the inventory list to ensure correct inventory count before and after a procedure. Tagging and identifying malfunctioning instruments can help alert staff members of which instruments not to use.
Transport: Staff members that transport instruments to the decontamination area must ensure enzymes have been applied to the soaking instruments and instruments are held in impervious containers and taken to postoperative reprocessing. Communication about is key in order to maintain quick turnovers.
Decontamination: Staff members must have a deep understanding of how to properly clean surgical instruments by following the manufacturer's recommendations and having thorough knowledge of patient safety risks and fiscal responsibility.
Processing: During this process, staff members must diligently check for instrument cleanliness and detect any damages or defects in instruments and equipment. Inspection and testing of instruments should occur in the sterile reprocessing department, and damaged instruments should be sent for repair. The partnership between the repair service and the facility must also be collaborative.
Sterilization: Staff members must understand the composition of the instrument, equipment or item so that the correct sterilization process can be initiated. Each sterilization process has a unique set of preparation steps.
Case cart assembly: This is the process during which central supply or material management staff members assemble individual patient case carts, built from preference cards, and deliver the carts to the OR. Any breakdowns in the previous processes could negatively affect the outcomes of this potion of the surgical instrument readiness system.
Read the article about surgical instrument readiness.
Read other coverage about patient safety:
- Researchers Highlight Two Principles for Medication Safety
- Surgical Safety Checklist and Toolkit for Download From BCBS
- Joint Commission Highlights Look-Alike/Sound-Alike Drugs
Various studies have shown how lack of instrument availability could cause high levels of stress among healthcare professionals and be detrimental to healthcare delivery. In order to maintain instrument readiness, the following processes must be implemented and regularly evaluated:
Preference cards: Preference cards help staff members gather what is needed for each procedure and alert the appropriate personnel of any equipment unavailability. These cards should be updated on a regular basis. Clinicians should only identify and open what is needed on the preference cards rather than all supplies listed.
Inventory lists: Inventory lists could cause delays in instrument readiness if they are inaccurate or contain confusing information. Instruments can be known by different names in varying parts of a healthcare facility.
Instrument handling: This requires regularly checking sterilization indicators, packaging before opening instruments, using an aseptic technique in instrument handling and using the inventory list to ensure correct inventory count before and after a procedure. Tagging and identifying malfunctioning instruments can help alert staff members of which instruments not to use.
Transport: Staff members that transport instruments to the decontamination area must ensure enzymes have been applied to the soaking instruments and instruments are held in impervious containers and taken to postoperative reprocessing. Communication about is key in order to maintain quick turnovers.
Decontamination: Staff members must have a deep understanding of how to properly clean surgical instruments by following the manufacturer's recommendations and having thorough knowledge of patient safety risks and fiscal responsibility.
Processing: During this process, staff members must diligently check for instrument cleanliness and detect any damages or defects in instruments and equipment. Inspection and testing of instruments should occur in the sterile reprocessing department, and damaged instruments should be sent for repair. The partnership between the repair service and the facility must also be collaborative.
Sterilization: Staff members must understand the composition of the instrument, equipment or item so that the correct sterilization process can be initiated. Each sterilization process has a unique set of preparation steps.
Case cart assembly: This is the process during which central supply or material management staff members assemble individual patient case carts, built from preference cards, and deliver the carts to the OR. Any breakdowns in the previous processes could negatively affect the outcomes of this potion of the surgical instrument readiness system.
Read the article about surgical instrument readiness.
Read other coverage about patient safety:
- Researchers Highlight Two Principles for Medication Safety
- Surgical Safety Checklist and Toolkit for Download From BCBS
- Joint Commission Highlights Look-Alike/Sound-Alike Drugs