ney, not a bed or wheelchair.
• Wipe surgical sites with chlorhexidine gluconate immediately
before procedures.
• OR personnel always wear appropriate PPE.
• Always follow the time-out protocol to the letter.
• Use new needles and syringes each time medication is drawn.
• Pre-cleaning of instruments and scopes begins immediately after
use, in accordance with manufacturer recommendations.
• Transport pre-cleaned items to the decontamination room in cov-
ered containers.
• In sterile processing, monitor and document water temperature to
facilitate proper soaking time and cleaning of instruments and scopes.
• Use a disposable sterile water bottle system for GI scopes to pre-
vent cross-contamination.
• After scopes are manually cleaned, mechanically flush them for 90
seconds. Then leak-test scopes and test them for evidence of residue,
using a swab that goes through the biopsy channel and changes color
7 6 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 6
The BSM Surgery Center in Corvallis, Ore., is also maintaining a 0% SSI
rate. Key factors:
• a team approach to rigorous hand-hygiene policies.
• mock inspections in key areas: SPD, the OR, pre-op and PACU.
• observe anesthetists.
• heavy emphasis on proper antibiotic timing and administration.
• careful attention to pre-warming and maintenance of normothermia
during procedures.
• ongoing observation regarding safe-injection practices.
BSM Maintains a Path to Perfection
ZEROING IN
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