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Reprocessing tough-to-clean flexible endoscopes may be among
the most serious challenges facing your central sterile process-
ing department, but it's hardly the only obstacle. Nancy Chobin,
RN, AAS, ACSP, CSPM, CFER, the president of Sterile Processing
University in Lebanon, N.J., offers these tips to ensure that your
department is doing its part to reduce the risk of contamination.
• Focus on cleaning first. If an item is not clean, it cannot be
disinfected or sterilized, so make sure your techs follow every
step of the cleaning process down to the last brush stroke.
• Stick to the IFUs. Every department manager has a responsi-
bility to comply with manufacturer's instructions for use. If a
manufacturer says, "Performing every step, from point A through
point Z, is the only way to clean, high-level disinfect and sterilize
this instrument," you have no choice but to comply. Otherwise,
says Ms. Chobin, you're using the device off label.
• Fight for high-performing resources. As more instruments
need to be cleaned, disinfected and sterilized more quickly to
accommodate higher volumes, central sterile leaders need to
evaluate and be willing to fight for better resources. This includes
not only high-performing sterilization equipment but also high-
caliber human resources who can interpret instructions individu-
How to Stay on the Path to
Sparkling Success in Central Sterile
RISK AVOIDANCE
• BRUSHING UP
Sterile techs must fol-
low each step of the
cleaning process with
every device that pass-
es through the central
sterile department.
