department. The latest
equipment takes a certain
amount of time to cycle
instruments through. If
you're consistently needing
to get more instruments
into a machine that you just
loaded, you have to audit
your equipment. Is one
washer, ultrasonic or steril-
izer enough? Investing in
more devices will get you
from under the constant time crunch and make your process less
chaotic and more routine, which, again, is conducive to fewer infection
risks.
Take an honest look
The OIG report cited examples of infection control deficiencies such
as failing to ensure that surgical equipment is sanitized properly and
not mopping the surgical suites after each patient. Don't read the
report with a narrow focus with the mindset of, "Oh, we don't have
any of those kinds of violations, so we're fine." Use it as an opportu-
nity to look at the overall picture of your facility. Maybe there are
things you can improve or enhance that weren't mentioned by the
OIG that can help you not become a statistic in its next report.
OSM
Ms. Lind (natalie@iahcsmm.org) is the education director for the
International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management
(IAHCSMM) in Chicago, Ill.
J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 2 9
• CURRENT AFFAIRS Is your facility equipped with the most up-do-date
instructions for use from product manufacturers, as well as the latest stan-
dards and guidelines for staff to reference?
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN,
CNOR
