ters of relevant professional organizations such as the International
Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management
(IAHCSMM). Participation in professional societies not only builds
one's knowledge base and resume, but also allows SPD techs to form a
network of colleagues whom they can call upon to ask how they're
handling common issues or a new set of instrument care guidelines.
More than words
These types of peer-to-peer conversations typically don't take place.
With a buddy system they would, and the results are much more col-
legial than with a top-down, manager-to-the-employee communica-
tion structure. The typical tension that's a barrier to good relations
will be replaced with a non-confrontational partnership because
each group will understand the other's perspective.
The results go beyond a more harmonious facility. SPD will be bet-
ter positioned to hit their benchmarks of delivering complete sets to
the OR, which means fewer physician complaints about missing
instruments. Your facility will be in good shape for a visit by the Joint
Commission, which is currently focusing on ensuring instruments are
reprocessed as immediately as possible and are free of gross soil at
the point of use. Can simple phone calls and visits between colleagues
in the OR and SPD help achieve all this? Absolutely.
OSM
Ms. Barratt (cbarratt@perioptimal.com) is the founder and president of
Perioptimal Performance Partners, a consulting firm based in Evanston, Ill.
Mr. Jagrosse (davidjagrosse@gmail.com) is president of David Jagrosse
Consulting and past president of IAHCSMM.
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