SPD Challenges: Unprocessed Trays at 0700 The Dirty Truth
If you have managed a Sterile Processing Department, 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, unprocessed trays increases exponentially, and you fall further behind. As the pile grows, so do physician complaints, case delays, errors, and “call-ins” The weekend finally arrives and you pay a bunch of overtime to play catch up but come Monday, rinse and repeat! It is undeniable that there is a direct correlation between unprocessed trays and many of the problems in SPD. Are you counting and tracking unprocessed surgical trays each morning? If not, we highly recommend you start asap! Here are 3 reasons why:
Labor Management: Unprocessed trays are the number one indicator that you likely have a problem. Most hospitals Do Not have an adequate number of experienced SPD technicians. Let me repeat: Staffing levels in Sterile Processing rarely align with demand!
Cost Savings: There are several “buckets” to consider. How much are you spending on Overtime? What is the cost of staff turnover? Are you purchasing more instruments to solve the problem vs increasing staffing levels? Are high revenue producing surgeons moving their cases?
Quality / Patient Safety / Regulatory: What happens when people fall behind and pressure to increase productivity is high? Corners are cut, vital processes in the instrumentation continuum are skipped, and industry standards are compromised. This quality deficit places your patients and your organization at risk. Moab Healthcare provides “Traveler” Sterile Processing Technicians to support your production needs. ALL our technicians are CBSPD and/or HSPA (IAHCSMM) certified and have a minimum of 2 years of relevant Sterile Processing experience and can be deployed as rapidly as needed.
This group of amazing hard working dedicated sterile processing techs has been a true blessing. I am glad to have this team of people to help me and my staff weather this storm.
Kim Simmons - SPD Manager
Large hospital in South Carolina
Moab was able to source and provide an experienced and talented group of technicians and leadership with lead technicians, supervisors, and managers. We have been very pleased with their approach and support to us the “customer”.
Jim Stanicki, CRCST
Regional Director Sterile Processing | Enterprise Surgical Operations, Cleveland Clinic
We have noticed a significant difference in our SPD services since getting MOAB’s help…
Don Owens, RN, BSN
Associate Chief Nursing Officer
Moab provides professional and experienced staff that are dedicated to all things Sterile Processing. They are open-minded, willing to learn your processes and willing to help those that are new to the field. Their behavior and performance is outstanding!
Anna Grayson, MS, RN, CRCST, CHL
Director of Sterile Processing
This group of amazing hardworking dedicated Sterile Processing techs has truly been a blessing.
Sterile Processing Manager
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