Outskirts Press, INC.

The Ideal Sterile Processing Department

A surgical instrument is an extension of a surgeon’s hand. Therefore, it must be clean, sterile, functional and relevant in each surgical procedure to insure patient safety, avoid surgical site infections, delays and the death of patients. When a surgical instrument is contaminated, broken or irrelevant during a procedure, it leaves a surgeon helpless in his or her bid to insure patient safety. Over the years, I have successfully led and managed several surgical instrument processing departments. And sometimes stood my grounds against decision makers, knowing well that such a stance could cost me my job. Yet, I was not afraid; because I understood that good leaders in healthcare must sacrifice to insure the safety of patients and the wellbeing of their staff. Wading through the thick and thin spectra of surgical instrument processing, it was obvious that our industry needs academic advancement. This is evident in the rise of surgical site infections and chronic unexplained pain after surgery due to poorly processed surgical instruments. But who would bring such a critical change? Especially, without ample knowledge of sterile sciences? As in all industries, the growth of sterile sciences depends on us. Thus, in pursuit of higher learning in sterile sciences, this book was written after years of research in varying surgical instrument processing facilities across the United States. For our patients’ safety - we must consistently strive to provide clean, sterile, functional and relevant surgical instruments to each surgeon on time, each time per budget.