We also run a biological indicator with every load. That's only
required with implants, but it's an additional step we take to ensure all
instruments and devices have been properly sterilized. Reassembling
instrument sets and properly preparing them for sterilization are incred-
ibly important, but time-consuming steps. They're also the marks of
quality sterile processing departments. Forgetting to include steriliza-
tion indicators in an instrument load is a common error in some facili-
ties, and it takes just a single misstep to have the surgical team ques-
tioning the overall performance of your department — even if the 300
previous sets arrived on time and ready to go. I tell my team to con-
stantly focus on the task at hand, because improperly prepared trays
will end up back in the department for decontamination, reassembly
and sterilization, which will double their workload.
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