Sklar Research, Reports & Articles

INFECTION CONTROL USING SKLARS' EPA REGISTERED DISINFECTANT.

Within the last 3 years, JCAHO regulation states that all clinics that are under a Hospital or IDN system need to have a Clean room and a Decontamination room. If a clinic does not have both rooms, instruments will need to be transported to the closest hospital for processing. Instruments should be sprayed with enzymatic cleaner after the procedure and kept moist.  A foaming enzymatic will work well to attack the bio-burden and cover the instruments for transport.

Read more about the challenges and lessons in Building a New Central Sterile Processing Department in this article from Infection Control Today, written by William DeLuca Challenges & Lessons in Building a New Sterile Processing Dept

Over the last few decades, the rate of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) has caused great safety and quality of care concern and placed infection prevention at the forefront of healthcare initiatives.

SKLAR TIP: Try the Pencil Eraser Test to determine stain or rust.

The next time you see a brown-orange color appear on an instrument, follow this tip on how to tell if it’s rust or a stain: use a standard pencil eraser to determine the source of discoloration. Rub the eraser into the mark, and take note of what happens next.

Cleaning Care of Box Joint and Screw Joint Instruments. When cleaned before sterilization instruments, box joint (e.g. Halstead mosquito hemostats, Kelly’s or Crile’s) and screw joint instruments (Mayo scissors, Iris scissors, Metzenbaum scissors) need to be opened to remove any bio burden from these areas.

Cleaning instruments is an important investment. A thorough care and cleaning regimen is essential in maintaining all of your surgical instruments. Keep up to date on care and cleaning guidelines for instrument brushes by reviewing this brief and fun infographic:

While most healthcare providers and hospitals do their best to ensure the safety of their patients, safety concerns continue to be an ongoing challenge worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, “one in ten patients are harmed whilst receiving health care.”¹ Facilities aiming to produce better outcomes and patient satisfaction must have patient safety as their top priority—for both the organization and the patients.

One of the key components in medical instrument cleaning is using the appropriate brush. With so many available options in the market today, it is important for staff to use the right brush to clean instruments thoroughly. Technicians should be familiar with the length and gauge of the brush, and which bristle types should be used on each specific device. Here are some helpful tips:

Microbes have been known to exist in the environment since the beginning of time. Some microbes are as old as Earth itself. They are an inherent element of life. Microbes are found everywhere, deep inside the Earth’s crust, in the polar caps and in all bodies of water. They are also found in plants, animals, humans, and they reside in your clothes and hair. Microbes have played a part in shaping the different habitats across the globe, and have even helped mold the evolution of many life forms.

The prevention and reduction of healthcare-associated infection (HAI) is a top priority in hospitals, surgery centers, and physician’s offices today. Increased vigilance toward instrument reprocessing procedures and improved personnel efficiency enhances both patient outcomes and lowers costs.

This calls to attention the “human factors” involved in cleaning and sterilizing of surgical instruments. It has also created the necessity for well trained and competent staff in the reprocessing areas, to reassess and improve upon current best practices.

Sterile processing procedures that need to be reevaluated immediately include: