Standardizing the Quality of Sterile Processing Services at NYC Health + Hospitals

Challenge

NYC Health + Hospitals (NYC H+H) was looking to add expertise in managing their people and practices for all medical and surgical instruments. NYC H+H also needed to update and consistently implement guidelines and standards to achieve the following:

• Reduce surgery and procedure delays.

  Inconsistent instrument inventory and sterilization practices caused surgery delays and rescheduling challenges.

• Increase doctor and nurse satisfaction.

  Ensuring surgeons and surgical teams had the proper instruments to perform surgeries.

• Increase patient safety.

  By providing consistent sterilization techniques.

• Eliminate bio burden issues.

  Improving cleaning and decontamination processes and training.

• Ensure regulatory compliance

  By creating a standardized sterilization program.

Solutions

The Central Sterile Department serves as the “Heart” of the hospital with responsibilities for cleaning, decontaminating, and sterilizing all surgical instruments and reusable equipment in all areas. It provides a patient-centered approach to ensure infection prevention and positive patient outcomes.

Without an in-house solution, the health system approached Crothall Healthcare for support. Richard Rossi, who at the time oversaw Crothall’s Environmental Services at the system, conducted a feasibility study and determined Crothall had the expertise to provide the service. A search was conducted and key management sterile processing experts were recruited to create Crothall Healthcare’s Sterile Processing program.

The team immediately implemented standard protocols and an education program. As an example, Crothall set up areas for sterilizations, high-disinfection, and sterile equipment storage. All technicians work in these designated areas and are responsible for specific tasks.

Crothall updated and re-tooled the tracking software that was in place to maximize its potential. In addition, inventory is better managed, productivity has increased, which led to improved patient flow and the system’s operating procedures running more efficiently. Crothall also quantified and consistently reported out on productivity.

Results/Outcomes

• Significant Sterilization Quality Assurance

  Increased the percentage of properly sterilized surgical instruments consistently to nearly 100%.

• Greater Efficiency and Productivity

  A 40-60% increase in efficiency and productivity in the number of medical instruments processed.

• Increased Compliance

  All 18 Joint Commission surveys were successful. The Joint Commission resource also featured Crothall Healthcare practices in an educational training video.

• Increased End-User Satisfaction

  Nineteen out of 20 top health system administrators rated the sterile processing program’s quality and service as “Extremely High” or “Very High.”