area. "Not only did this
instrument set weigh a
significant amount, it
was an awkward item
for staff to lift and carry.
"If you have a heavy or
especially awkward
instrument set, call up
the vendor to see if you
can get it in 2 boxes that
are smaller and don't
weigh as much," says
Ms. Boynton. "Some-
times it's as simple as
that."
As an occupation ther-
apist, Ms. Boynton has a
unique take on safety in
the sterile processing
department. When it comes to lifting, she says, there are a number of
things you can (and should) do to reduce the risk of injury.
For example, keep the heaviest instrument sets in areas that are easy
for staff to reach, and make sure they can access the instruments with
proper lifting techniques. "You want to store heavier items on a shelf
between waist high and thigh level," says Ms. Boynton. "Staff members
shouldn't reach above shoulder height or bend down close to the
ground. That's how muscle strains occur."
2. Avoid burns
When sterile processing techs remove hot instruments from washer-
O C T O B E R 2 0 1 9 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 6 7
• TOO HOT TO HANDLE Items removed from the sterilizer cool at different
rates, so allow enough time after cycles before reassembling instrument sets.
