Sterile Processing Departments are often called the “Heart of the Hospital.” SPD is the area in a hospital or surgery center where cleaning and sterilization of surgical instruments and devices used in medical and surgical procedures occur. Understandably, this definition is anything but fun; fortunately, to those who call SPD “home,” it means so much more!
Take a moment to embrace these 5 Fun Facts about Sterile Processing:
If a career in Sterile Processing doesn’t work out, you are already a trained DETECTIVE. You can find a needle in a haystack and figure out who did it by both instinct and experience. From individual instruments to instrument sets, IV poles, paperwork, surgeons, and Easter Eggs, SPD will solve the case and make great things happen!
Sterile Processing has so many different names that the department itself can be the needle in the haystack! The American College of Surgeons is credited with Sterile Processing (SP), originally called Central Sterile (CS). As the relevance and importance of this department evolved, so have the names of SP, including:
Central Supply (CS),
Sterile Processing Department (SPD)
Central Sterile Services Department (CSSD)
Sterile Processing (SP)
Although the name has been changed over the years, there is no uniformity among facilities when naming this fabulous department! What does your facility call SP?
Hospitals, surgery centers, and others could not function without Sterile Processing. Processing surgical instruments is a serious business! Sterile Processing Technicians are the driving force behind safe patient care during surgery. SP is responsible for cleaning, decontaminating, processing, sterilizing, assembling, testing, packaging, and managing the instruments and equipment necessary for patient care during surgery and beyond. Even when sterilized instruments are properly processed, organized, and available in trays, patients could be at risk for surgical site infections (SSI) without dedicated SP professionals’ oversight and diligence.
Beginning on the second Sunday of October, “It’s All About You”! If you are one of the 50,550 instrument specialist technicians in the U.S, this week is a wonderful time for the “Heart of the Hospital” to be recognized by other professionals, your family, and more!
Sterile Processing is a team sport that requires speed, stamina, accuracy, and respect for your teammates. Executing the game plan is nothing short of an Olympic event! SP professionals are adept at keeping their “eye on the ball” to provide safety for patients while running a marathon in challenging conditions to ensure that the OR and patient care teams complete the WIN! Creating fun where you thought there was none is a great way to enjoy and empower those who call SP home. Although traditionally viewed as less than glamorous and considered un-fun, a positive viewpoint can make it much more! More than ever, SP’s value cannot be overlooked as an essential part of safe patient care.
Sterile Processing Departments are often called the “Heart of the Hospital.” SPD is the area in a hospital or surgery center where cleaning and sterilization[..]
If you have managed SPD, you know the drill: Monday morning, dirty trays are at a minimum and things are generally “caught up”. Each day thereafter, the quantity of dirty
I cannot think of any two departments in healthcare that depend on each other and require teamwork more than the Operating Room and Sterile Processing Departments. So why is it so common to see an “us versus them” mentality?
Not that long ago, Healthcare organizations were reluctant to “invest” in their Sterile Processing Departments. Critical infrastructure and human capital needs were tabled while funding was being utilized [..]
As Perioperative Healthcare Leaders, we can all agree that these are unprecedented times. Staffing and supply resources have rightfully been diverted to care of COVID 19 patients.
Where does the decontamination process begin in sterile processing? First, we have to understand what decontamination is and how important decontamination is to the patient …
During my tenure as a surgical technician, I never gave a second thought to where my surgical instruments came from. The instruments were always sterilized and placed on the correct case carts ready …
This week begins the International Sterile Processing Professionals Appreciation Week. Take time this week to personally appreciate each of your professionals in Sterile Processing.
Sterile processing has a direct and significant effect on surgeon satisfaction, risk, patient safety, revenue, and cost. Disruptions in sterile processing or improper sterilization …
3 Ways to Increase Retention in Your Sterile Processing Department High turnover rates of SPD directors and managers, educators, supervisors, and technicians can have a […]
Sterile Processing Departments are often called the “Heart of the Hospital.” SPD is the area in a hospital or surgery center where cleaning and sterilization[..]
If you have managed SPD, you know the drill: Monday morning, dirty trays are at a minimum and things are generally “caught up”. Each day thereafter, the quantity of dirty