place "stat" tags (2-inch by 2-inch pieces of brightly colored, laminated
construction paper) in instrument trays that they need back ASAP.
When instrument techs open a tray and see the tag, they make turning
around that set a priority. Surgical techs at Callahan also make "needs
lists" based on the next day's case schedule so SPD focuses on repro-
cessing the listed instruments.
4. High-tech solutions
An instrument barcode tracking system lets SPD and OR staff know
where items are located in the facility at any given time, says Ms.
Maloney. Callahan's system prints bar codes as staff check off that
individual instruments are included in a tray. The bar code is affixed
to the tray and staff scan it when the tray is placed in a sterilizer load
or readied for use in an OR.
Instrument tracking can help fulfill the Joint Commission's require-
ment to match instrument trays to sterilization loads and specific
cases, says Ms. Maloney. She says the data collected by the system
also provide details about peak times in the sterile processing depart-
ment and rates of instrument usage by individual service lines. You
can use the information to adjust staffing levels based on productivity
or bottlenecks in sterile processing or invest in additional instrument
sets in order to maintain scheduling efficiencies.
Automated washer-disinfector systems help SPD staff keep up with
the throughput needed to match a busy day's schedule, says Ms.
Maloney. The washers feature different chambers that perform the var-
ious stages of cleaning as instruments pass through pre-wash with
enzymatic cleaner, general wash, pure water rinse and final dry cycle.
Ms. Seavey suggests placing an electronic big board in SPD so techs
can track the progress of the day's surgical schedule and make adjust-
ments as needed.
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