minutes. Not the case. Turnaround time for instruments includes a lot
more than the sterilization cycle time. There's a long list of steps
before we place instruments in the sterilizer: manual cleaning, possi-
ble automated washing and sonication. Then we wrap or place instru-
ments into a container. Then we inspect during the preparation and
sterilization phase. Before you think of asking sterile processing staff
to cut corners, keep in mind that we are bound to manufacturers'
reprocessing instructions.
Find your way
While steam is an effective and cost-efficient way to sterilize surgical
instruments, low-temp sterilization methods are still an absolute
necessity in today's fast-paced surgical department. Hopefully, you
now have a better understanding of low-temp sterilization. Now if you
can just find out how to get to the sterile processing department.
OSM
M A y 2 0 1 8 • O U T PA T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T • 4 7
Mr. Anderson (kanders1@hfhs.org) is the manager of the sterile processing
department at Henry Ford Wyandotte (Mich.) Hospital.
