3. Robotics
You know that robots are already in the OR, but they're also mak-
ing a move to sterile processing. One of the coolest technologies
I've seen recently is a robot that can wrap instrument trays in blue
wrap after sterilization. During the demonstration I witnessed, the
manufacturer had the robot wrapping one tray per minute. The
robot folded the wrap, picked up the instrument tray, wrapped it,
tore off a piece of tape and placed it on the wrap to secure it.
Every set the robot wrapped was done with great consistency.
Even this simple action would be a huge help in sterile process-
ing departments, especially in facilities with large amounts of loan-
er trays, such as those needed for complex orthopedic procedures.
A P R I L 2 0 2 0 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 3 1
fection, and usually get a rousing "yes." But once I get into the
decontamination area, that's often not the case. Typically, this is
due to a lack of equipment. For example, most orthopedic loaner
trays require ultrasonic cleaning. If you don't have an ultrasonic
cleaner in your department, you will not be compliant with instru-
ment manufacturers' IFUs, no matter how thoroughly you think
you're cleaning. Always remember that if a device isn't properly
cleaned, it cannot be sterilized. You owe it to your patients to
ensure that device manufacturers' IFUs are always followed.
• Continued improvement. Always look for ways to innovate and
constantly investigate how to take your sterile processing depart-
ment into the future. Augmented reality and virtual reality have
already made their way into health care. The possibilities are
endless with respect to technology's application in sterile pro-
cessing. It can have a tremendous impact on instrument care
and, ultimately, patient safety.
— Bob Marrs, BA, ST, CRCST, CIS, CHL
