1. In a story on respect for sterile processing: Operating room teams should treat sterile processing staff with respect to achieve optimal patient safety and employee satisfaction outcomes, according to Alecia Cooper, RN, BS, MBA, CNOR, senior nursing consultant at Surgical Directions, and Valeria McAfee, MBA-HCM, a central sterile processing consultant for Surgical Directions.
2. In a story on sterile processing common mistakes: Flashing, or immediate use steam sterilization, is a common mistake in sterile processing that ORs can avoid by ensuring a sufficient amount of instrumentation for procedures, according to Ms. Cooper and Ms. McAfee.
3. In a story on sterile processing best practices: One of the most important elements in central sterile processing is employees’ training, according to Ms. Cooper and Ms. McAfee.
4. In a story on safe sterile processing: ASCs must keep a current copy of the manufacturer’s recommendations for sterilization and disinfection for each item to ensure proper sterile processing, according to Marcia Patrick, RN, MSN, CIC, an infection prevention consultant and a member of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology’s board of directors.
5. In a story on AAMI: The Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation released posters with sterile processing tips, such as how to load a sterilizer.
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