Sklar Research, Reports & Articles

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

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: