of view, such as instrument type, which tray it belongs to, and how to
inspect, clean and sterilize it. AR would give techs access to instrument
instructions for use at the point of need.
What's the biggest misconception about sterile processing techs?
The belief that they have a low impact on a facility's success, low
importance and low skill because they make a small fraction of what
surgeons and nurses earn. It's difficult for others to fully appreciate
the benefits that sterile processing brings to a facility's bottom line,
even though reprocessing every instrument properly every time
avoids surgical site infections and case delays. A job done well in cen-
tral sterile provides significant value, while a job done poorly results
in significant trouble.
What can surgical leaders do
to help sterile processing techs feel valued?
Encourage them to pursue industry certification and, if possible, fund
their continuing education. Those are things high-quality facilities do
for employees in related positions, but similar opportunities don't
often reach the sterile processing department. Reprocessing techs are
often forgotten about in the basement. They're physically removed
from the rest of the perioperative team, eating in different places and
having their own meetings. That only widens the divide with the OR
and the misunderstanding between the teams. To bridge this gap, ster-
ile processing staff must be included in educational opportunities,
daily meetings and the general everyday life of the surgical depart-
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