Sterile Supply Department Research Articles

Collaboration in Medical Safety in the Operating Department and Sterile Supply Department

Collaboration in Medical Safety in the Operating Department and Sterile Supply Department

Sterilization and disinfection in general practice within university health services

A postal questionnaire on ‘sterilization and disinfection’ was sent to all 144 nurse members of the British Association of Health Services in Higher Education (BAHSHE). Forty-nine (34%) completed valid questionnaires were returned. Despite the majority of practices performing minor surgical procedures such as cervical cytology (N= 40, 82%), ear syringing (N= 44, 90%) and wound dressing (N= 49, 100%), only 11 (22%) had access to a sterile supply department (SSD), and the definitions of sterilization and disinfection were only identified by 23 (52%) and 14 (32%) of the respondents, respectively. Forty-one (84%) respondents had a benchtop sterilizer (30 had a benchtop sterilizer, 11 a vacuum sterilizer and two had both), although there was considerable confusion on their appropriate use and maintenance. Just over half had written procedures for sterilizer use, no practice changed the sterilizer water on a daily basis as recommended by the Medical Devices Agency (MDA), few kept a sterilizer logbook and even fewer had read the MDA Device Bulletin on benchtop sterilizers. The majority of respondents voiced an interest in attending a workshop on sterilization and disinfection. We conclude that despite the location of the general practices within an academic environment, the concept of infection control is clearly not understood by university health service staff. As the implications of a failure to implement proper infection control procedures are potentially serious, the need for adequate education and training of staff is of critical importance.

Sterilization and disinfection in general practice in Northern Ireland

: In view of the recent trend towards more minor surgery being carried out in general practice we decided to conduct a postal survey to assess the level of knowledge of sterilization and disinfection and the use of benchtop sterilizers in general practice in Northern Ireland. The survey, of all 366 practices in the Province, was carried out in January/March 1998. One hundred and eleven (30%) completed questionnaires were returned. All practices performed at least one of a range of procedures requiring sterilization or disinfection, e.g., minor surgery 95%, cervical smear taking 98%, syringing of ears 98%. Only 76% of practices had a benchtop sterilizer and 39% did not have access to a sterile supply department (SSD); 32% of the latter had no desire to utilize such a service. Only 25% and 34% correctly identified the Medical Devices Agency (MDA) definitions of sterilization and disinfection respectively. The MDA Device Bulletin on benchtop sterilizers had been read by only 26% of respondents. There was an 86% interest in attending a workshop on sterilization and disinfection. The concepts and practice of sterilization and disinfection appear not to be clearly understood. We conclude that resources must be identified to provide appropriate education in this important area for primary care staff.

Reuse of disposable medical devices: historical and current aspects.

The "plastics revolution" of the last quarter century disrupted a hospital tradition. Since the 1890s, hospitals processed, packaged, and sterilized most of the medical-surgical items they needed in their own sterile supply departments--a "cottage industry" developed specifically for recycling. Only those consumable items that were too difficult, expensive, or inconvenient to reprocess were purchased from outside manufacturers as presterilized, single-use "disposables." Since the plastics revolution, however, the "disposables" started to displace the "reusables," and while claiming to be an economical innovation, have become a significant item in the budget. Some hospitals feel that if disposables save money, reusing the disposable several times will save more. The practice is spreading. The manufacturers, in turn, claim that hospitals do not have adequate quality assurance programs or skills to reprocess their items properly. The debate is further complicated by legal and ethical ramifications, as well as commercial and economic arguments.

A Sterile Supply-Room

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-