Recordkeeping
Every task must be monitored and documented, including:
● Traffic
● Water quality
● Loaner instrumentation
● Temperature
● Humidity
● Sterilization protocols and parameters
All items entering the sterilizer should be marked with:
● A Julian date, which can be described as days that have occurred since the beginning of
the year
● A lot control number which contains
○ The sterilizer number
○ The cycle run
○ The sterilization date of each load.
Quality Assurance
Sterile processing technicians can take quality assurance measures, such as the following:
● Detergents should always be used according to the Instructions for Use (IFU).
● Hinged instruments should be cleaned in an open position to ensure effective cleaning.
● If an item is dropped to the floor, it shouldn’t just be visually inspected, but it should be
completely taken out of the package, sent to the decontamination department, and
reprocessed.
Supply Chain Management for Sterile Processing
● Inventory management is a standardized process in most medical facilities.
● The receiving area is the first area that receives medical supplies to be distributed to
various areas of the hospital.
○ Shelves should be clean.
○ Items should never be stored on the floor.
○ The temperature in the receiving area should not exceed 75 F (24 C).
○ Humidity should never exceed 70%.
Did you know that the purchase of supplies often represents 30% of a medical facility’s budget?
This is why it’s critical that the correct supplies are ordered. Maintaining unnecessary inventory
can cost the facility money. If the correct materials aren't stocked, it can negatively impact
patient care.
Types of Inventory
● Disposable Inventory- Includes those items that must be used only once on a patient.
● Reusable Inventory- Typically comes in the form of medical equipment.
CAT scans, MRI machines, or C-Arms are examples of reusable inventory.
Every task must be monitored and documented, including:
● Traffic
● Water quality
● Loaner instrumentation
● Temperature
● Humidity
● Sterilization protocols and parameters
All items entering the sterilizer should be marked with:
● A Julian date, which can be described as days that have occurred since the beginning of
the year
● A lot control number which contains
○ The sterilizer number
○ The cycle run
○ The sterilization date of each load.
Quality Assurance
Sterile processing technicians can take quality assurance measures, such as the following:
● Detergents should always be used according to the Instructions for Use (IFU).
● Hinged instruments should be cleaned in an open position to ensure effective cleaning.
● If an item is dropped to the floor, it shouldn’t just be visually inspected, but it should be
completely taken out of the package, sent to the decontamination department, and
reprocessed.
Supply Chain Management for Sterile Processing
● Inventory management is a standardized process in most medical facilities.
● The receiving area is the first area that receives medical supplies to be distributed to
various areas of the hospital.
○ Shelves should be clean.
○ Items should never be stored on the floor.
○ The temperature in the receiving area should not exceed 75 F (24 C).
○ Humidity should never exceed 70%.
Did you know that the purchase of supplies often represents 30% of a medical facility’s budget?
This is why it’s critical that the correct supplies are ordered. Maintaining unnecessary inventory
can cost the facility money. If the correct materials aren't stocked, it can negatively impact
patient care.
Types of Inventory
● Disposable Inventory- Includes those items that must be used only once on a patient.
● Reusable Inventory- Typically comes in the form of medical equipment.
CAT scans, MRI machines, or C-Arms are examples of reusable inventory.
