manager and infection preventionist — each must have a voice in
product evaluations to determine how they can best be used in your
specific clinical environment (see "Which Cleaning Product Is Right
for Your Facility?" on page 46).
Your infection preventionist should know which microorganisms
have been present in patients who've suffered surgical site infections.
She might also have access to antibiograms, which are lab tests that
determine which organisms are common in patient populations served
by specific facilities. Some public health departments have a good
sense of microorganisms that are present in the community at large, so
they're also a good resource. If you work at a freestanding facility with
a solid working relationship with the local hospital, its infection pre-
ventionist might be willing to offer some guidance.
Ensure products are consistently prepared and applied according to
the manufacturers' instructions for use. For example, a liquid product
that has to be reconstituted is rendered ineffective if it's mixed
improperly. Make sure that such a product is labeled, so staff mem-
bers are aware that it needs to be reconstituted. Note the product's
expiration date and its concentration, and ensure staff who do the
reconstituting understand the process fully and can speak to the steps
involved when accreditation surveyors come calling.
There's no doubt your staff understands that OR surfaces must be
thoroughly cleaned during room turnovers, but they also might struggle
to find the balance between maintaining efficiency and guaranteeing
patient safety. It's up to you to ensure they find that balance and are able
to clean properly while keeping up with a busy surgical schedule. OSM
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O U T P A T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | A U G U S T 2 0 1 5
Ms. Hohenberger (hhohenberger@iuhealth.org) is a quality improvement consultant
at Indiana University Health Academic Health Centers in Indianapolis, Ind. She co-authored
AORN's Environmental Cleaning Tool Kit.
