Sterilization wrap is “not just a big blue plastic sheet.” According to Dr. Sade Brown, “It may look simple, but it is actually high-tech. Behind the scenes, there is a huge amount of science and engineering and testing that goes into it.” All of this work makes blue wrap an essential part of the st

HSPA is a vigorous advocate for Sterile Processing (SP) professionals and patients in state legislatures across the country. This initiative is spearheaded by the HSPA Advocacy Team, working hand-in-hand with HSPA Chapters. The team formulates legislative and regulatory strategies for educating stat

The HSPA Season of Giving is here! To help advance patient safety, the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association established the HSPA Foundation in 2016. Dedicated Sterile Processing (SP) professionals commit to continuing education and professional development to remain focused on doing what’s righ

For more than 50 years, the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) has helped healthcare professionals define best practices for employees, equipment and patients. AAMI standards are written through careful debate and consensus. They inform the way we work and are our guid

Since 1978, the Mercy Ships organization has served patients in parts of the world where medical resources are difficult to access. In that time, Mercy Ships doctors, nurses and technicians, all volunteers, have performed more than 100,000 surgeries with their fleet of state-of-the-art floating hosp

HSPA Chapter Resource RoundupWith more than 50 chapters across the country and around the world, HSPA’s affiliated chapter system is available as a local resource to support our Sterile Processing (SP) professionals, wherever they may be. Active participation in a regional chapter offers relationshi

The concept of Lean has been around for many years. What started as a manufacturing concept has been embraced by healthcare as an effective system to increase efficiency while maintaining quality in patient care. However, if its goals and mechanics are not properly understood, Lean can be applied in

The quality of our water varies dramatically—by location, season and source—and the presence of impurities can have a significant impact on all aspects of instrument processing. For the safety of our patients, healthcare professionals must be knowledgeable about water types and their uses. As stewar

Like every business, healthcare systems are vulnerable to cyberattack in all of its many forms. For those in healthcare, however, the security of the information we access has special significance. Healthcare systems keep detailed records of patients’ medical diagnoses, test results, payment methods

What we do as a perioperative team matters. Day and night, 365 days a year, we save, heal and improve the wellbeing of our patients. In the Sterile Processing department (SPD), compliance with evidence- and consensus-based standards and guidelines, as well as government regulations, is of crucial im

All surgical instruments take effort to render clean and sterile, but some instruments by their design are more difficult to clean than others. Narrow channels, long lumens and tight tolerances challenge our decontamination professionals to remove soil and reduce the incidence of bioburden. In episo

Managing loaned instrument sets presents difficulties for even the most organized Sterile Processing departments (SPDs). Hospitals and surgery centers with high procedural volume as well as those performing cutting-edge surgeries may see their loaned tray volume eclipse their regular workload at tim

Surgical instruments require consistent care from use, through processing and storage, and back to the procedural area. This care saves healthcare systems money and, more importantly, assures that practitioners have the tools that they need, when they need them, to improve patient outcomes. We know

Following manufacturers’ instructions for use (IFU) is among the most important responsibilities of the Sterile Processing (SP) team, and every item in our departments has an IFU—surgical instruments, processing equipment, detergents, disinfectants, and cleaning tools. Although critical for device c

Our skin is not just a thing of beauty. It is our largest organ. It prevents water loss and protects us from infection, allergens and ultraviolet light. Although proper hand hygiene is essential to the work of Sterile Processing professionals and the safety of our patients, breaks in the skin barrie

Data drives improvement in business, and healthcare is no exception. With the effective use of a quality management system (QMS), Sterile Processing (SP) professionals can use data they already collect, including sterilizer printouts and biological monitoring, to improve processes and make their wor

The chemicals used in Sterile Processing departments (SPDs) pose serious risks, and Alex Hilliker of ChemDAQ, Inc. believes that chemical safety is not discussed enough. In episode 125, host Jon Wood speaks with Hilliker, who explains the usage progression from ethylene oxide to hydrogen peroxide an

In episode 124, host Jon Wood speaks with AORN Senior Perioperative Practice Specialist Amber Wood about how AORN Guidelines address numerous pertinent topics related to Sterile Processing, including challenges associated with 3D-printed instruments, short-cycle sterilization, overcrowded sets, and

In episode 123, host Jon Wood speaks with Dr. Leo Gordon on the topic of excessive instruments found in Sterile Processing trays. As a physician, Gordon shares his unique viewpoint regarding the large quantity of instruments found on the Operating Room back table before, during and after a surgical

In episode 122, host Jon Wood speaks with members of the KiiP team about sterile barrier wrap, more commonly known as “blue wrap.” Karina Engels from Owens & Minor/Halyard, Amanda Benedict from AAMI, Tanya Magana of Ecolab, Jennifer Zeck from Solventum, and Sterile Processing technician Tiffany Reec

In episode 121, host Jon Wood speaks with Hannah Schroeder about one of the most important tools in Sterile Processing (SP): workstations. Schroeder discusses the primary functions, evolution and future potential of the SP workstation. She elaborates on the need for a proper workstation to support s

In episode 120, host Jon Wood speaks with Frederick Westermeyer about his journey in rediscovering Sterile Processing (SP) after surviving a traumatic medical issue and the resulting infection that lead to an amputation. As an SP clinical educator, Westermeyer has a unique perspective surrounding hi

In episode 119, host Jon Wood speaks with Sterile Processing (SP) Consultant and Clinical Educator Casey Czarnowski about sharps injuries. Czarnowski explains the dangers of bloodborne pathogens contracted by seemingly minor scrapes, cuts and pokes. These injuries can occur during Operating Room set

In episode 118, host Jon Wood speaks with HSPA’s Director of Education Natalie Lind about bullying in Sterile Processing (SP). Lind discusses how the prevalence of bullying in Sterile Processing departments not only breaks down morale but also has direct and negative effects on the quality of patien