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?
Latest News
April 27th 2025
Elizabeth (Betty) Casey, MSN, RN, CNOR, CRCST, CHL, is the SVP of Operations and Chief Nursing Officer at Surgical Solutions in Overland, Kansas. This SPD leader reframes preparation, unpredictability, and teamwork by comparing surgical services to the Kentucky Derby to reenergize sterile processing professionals and inspire systemic change.
More News
Updating and Upgrading Device Reprocessing: AAMI/FDA Summit
February 14th 2012In 2011, there were two events at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) headquarters where the key issues of medical device reprocessing were raised and discussed. The first event was put on by FDA staff, with an assist from the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI). During this two-day meeting in June, a parade of industry experts presented their research and experience to describe the key challenges facing the healthcare industry when it comes to effective device reprocessing.
Mighty Mesh: Extracellular Matrix Identified as Source of Spreading in Biofilms
January 23rd 2012New research at Harvard explains how bacterial biofilms expand to form slimy mats on teeth, pipes, surgical instruments and crops. Through experiment and mathematical analysis, researchers have shown that the extracellular matrix (ECM), a mesh of proteins and sugars that can form outside bacterial cells, creates osmotic pressure that forces biofilms to swell and spread. The ECM mechanism is so powerful that it can increase the radius of some biofilms five-fold within 24 hours. The results have been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.
