Sterile Processing

Ascent, a leader in delivering healthcare resource sustainability, has been awarded a three-year, single-source agreement with Upper Midwest Consolidated Service Center (UMCSC), a supply network of VHA member hospitals in the Midwest.

The Joint Commission says it will examine ways to refine its tracer methodology by integrating patient-care tracers and patient system tracers to thoroughly evaluate selected high risk or problem-prone processes, including cleaning, disinfection and sterilization of medical equipment, devices and supplies.

The Associated Press is reporting that officials at the Veterans Administration will be launching an investigation into lapses of infection control practices relating to the sterilization of dental instruments at the St. Louis VA Medical Center.