Sterile Processing

The Infection Control Today® sterile processing page provides an inside look into the sterile processing (or central supply) department in the hospital where surgical instruments are cleaned, sterilized, and reprocessed in order to disinfect, remove bioburden, and prep for upcoming procedures. Sterile processing applies to not only the knives, scalpels, scissors, forceps, and clamps used in surgery, but also instruments such as endoscopes and duodenoscopes. ICT® reports on the latest technology but also on the means to disinfect that technology. Also, the trend toward making more disposable surgical equipment. What does that mean for the sterile processing team?

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Cori L. Ofstead, MSPH; Brandon M. Gantt, MHA, CRCST, CHL, CER, LSSGBH; and Jill E. Holdsworth, MS, CIC, FAPIC, NREMT, CRCST, CHL, an infection preventionist in Atlanta, Georgia.
Better Alerts, Better Cleaning: Why IFU Updates and Borescope Protocols Must Be Built Into SPD Workflows

July 24th 2025

Sterile processing departments are facing a new standard: clean is not clean unless you can see it. At HSPA 2025, experts emphasized that updated IFUs and borescope inspections must be built into routine workflows, not as extra tasks, but as core components of quality control and infection prevention.

Cori L. Ofstead, MSPH; Brandon M. Gantt, MHA, CRCST, CHL, CER, LSSGBH; and Jill E. Holdsworth, MS, CIC, FAPIC, NREMT, CRCST, CHL, an infection preventionist in Atlanta, Georgia.
Flawed From the Start: Why Many IFUs for Surgical Instruments Fail in Real-World Sterile Processing

July 23rd 2025

A mother and child having online telemedicine consultation with remote doctor about cold and flu virus treatment.  (Adobe Stock 479767497 Studio Romantic)
Telemedicine's Transformative Role in PPE Distribution and Sterile Equipment Management

July 22nd 2025

Set of bright yellow sharps containers with biohazard labels and red lids used in clinics and hospitals for safe disposal of medical needles and waste. (Adobe Stock 1521632893 by Maksim)
Reducing Hidden Risks: Why Sharps Injuries Still Go Unreported

July 18th 2025

What Lies Beneath: Why Borescopes Are Essential for Verifying Surgical Instrument Cleanliness
What Lies Beneath: Why Borescopes Are Essential for Verifying Surgical Instrument Cleanliness

July 16th 2025

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