inspections of instruments. By adding automation to the mix, they
don't have to take those extra steps of opening the washer, pushing
the cart in and stopping what they're doing to start the cycle.
These automated machines come at an additional cost and have a
slightly larger footprint, because you need to allow room for the con-
veyer systems on either side of the washer-disinfector and the steriliz-
er. But when you consider the time you will save, it's a great argument
for making the department a little bigger.
2. Virtual or augmented reality
Virtual reality (VR) technology already exists for sterile processing
departments. It's mainly targeted toward training and competency, but
this type of technology and its potential for improved processes in
sterile processing and other areas of health care are just
beginning. Benefits of VR and augmented reality (AR) include
increased information retention rates, repeatable training processes,
and a cost-effective way to ensure productivity throughout training
and competency verification. These technologies will also continue to
impact how surgeons perform surgeries.
In the future, we may see the addition of voice-activated technolo-
gy, which could also be a game-changer when working with complex
and challenging instruments. Surveyors expect reprocessing techs to
know the instructions for use (IFUs) for all the instruments in a
facility — that means thousands of IFUs need to be accessible.
When you're processing a device and searching for the IFU, you're
wasting precious time. Instead, voice-activated technology would let
staff pull up the IFU on command by saying the instrument make
and model out loud.
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