A Sterile Supply-Room

Abstract

T HE sterile supply department at the Minneapolis General Hospital was opened August 22, 1932. It is a unit for issuing all sterilized supplies as well as most special equipment used in the care of patients. The purpose of this supply-room is far reaching. It is a place for sterilizing, storing, and issuing supplies. This makes it convenient for different departments to obtain any item at times of emergencies or otherwise thus aiding the welfare of the patient and affording more efficient assistance to the doctor. The facilities of the supply-room are available to the outpatient department as well as to the hospital proper. Our sterile supply-room is centrally located near the main elevators, making it possible to obtain supplies as quickly as possible. It consists of two divisions; one, for unsterile supplies; the other, for the sterilized articles. Unsterile articles are never transferred to the sterile side at any time, thus preventing any possible danger of contamination or mistaking unsterile for sterile goods. The unsterile side is equipped with work table, autoclaves, sink, and cabinets for storing supplies. The large autoclave is used for goods only, large packs, and like articles; the smaller one is used for sterilizing trays, gloves, and solutions. Both have a time chart which indicates the length of time the sterilizer is run and also the amount of pressure being used. This is a sound check up on the operator of the sterilizer. The director of the sterile supply room is a graduate nurse who is familiar with supplies and needs of the various departments. She is on duty from 7:00 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. A one-