Steps in the Management of Surgical Instrumentation

Step 12:

Review the entire decontamination process, and understand that if you are sending instruments to surgery with rust or blackened staining in the box-lock area, then you have a serious breakdown in the washing process. If ever there was a process that should be specialized it would be decontamination. Maintaining consistent staff in this area will produce significant dividends. A well-organized and operating decontamination will increase prep and pack out-put. Decontamination, conflict checking of instruments are the two most important aspects of the surgical materials management instrument throughput. Developing a well-rounded instrument management program takes time and persistence but will produce positive patient outcomes.

Surgeon satisfaction generally leads to increased volume and retention of staff, with patient safety leading the way when all aspects of OR materials management is known and followed. We as CS professionals can make dramatic impacts on the overall OR performance when given the opportunity, but we need to know all the steps and how to bring them together.

Tim Brooks is director of surgical services materials management at Yuma Regional Medical Center and has 30 years of management experience. He hosts a Web site devoted to OR materials management and the CSSPD, www.csspdmanager.com. He is a member of IAHCSMM, and also serves as a member of the Infection Control Committee, Hospital VA, Rapid Response, Operating Room Through-put and Lean Six-Sigma Committees.