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?
March 11th 2025
Ultrasonic cleaners enhance sterile processing by removing microscopic bioburden, ensuring safer medical instruments, reducing infection risks, and improving efficiency compared to manual cleaning alone.
Give Sterile Processing Team, Profession the Recognition They Deserve
August 23rd 2022Sterile Processing Week runs from October 9 through 15. Julie Williamson, of the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association, explains why appreciation goes a long way with this vital group of hospital professionals.
Contamination of Point-of-Care Ultrasound Transducers Alarms Key Clinician
August 11th 2022Using ultrasound transducers is often necessary in the emergency department, but too often the proper procedures to protect against health care associated infections are not followed, and clinicians are worried.
Environment and Time Cause Chemical Changes in Clinical Soil on Medical Devices
April 28th 2022Terra Kremer, the senior program manager of microbiological quality and sterility assurance at Johnson & Johnson, and technical lead of the Device Processing Tiger Team, spoke with ICT® about her research on time and efficiency of sterile processing and what is most affecting the industry today.
Trust Is Key to Navigating Infection Prevention’s Relationship With Sterile Processing
April 26th 2022Jill Holdsworth, CIC, FAPIC, NREMT, CRCST, manager of infection prevention at Emory University Hospital Midtown, joins ICT® to discuss the implications of her research, as well as other guidance for building an optimal relationship between infection prevention and the sterile processing department.