Beyond Clean Articles On-The-Go

On this episode of Articles On-The-Go, tune in to learn about why mission matters in Sterile Processing: "But if you've been a CS/SPD leader for more than five minutes, you know that getting all members of the team to "buy-in" to the larger mission and vision of your department is not an easy feat. However, cultivating a team full of these mission-believers is one of the most important things you could be doing as a CS/SPD leader. If you get this right, you can see transformation of your teams and individuals that you would have never dreamed possible. Attitude, teamwork, trust, customer service, professionalism, enthusiasm. All of this is impossible without men and women who know, understand, and apply the larger mission of your department...."

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On this episode of Articles On-The-Go, tune in to learn about how to balance schooling and working to get to where you want to be in Sterile Processing: "Whether that's starting an Associates program for surgical technology, finishing off a Bachelors in nursing, or putting the finishing touches on a Masters in Business -- working, schooling, and dealing with life is always a delicate balance in the world of CS/SPD. I started my own career in Sterile Processing as a frontline technician working second shift and finishing off graduate school in the mornings. I remember the days of of squeezing in chapters of my textbook into my 15 minute breaks, and treasuring the few weekends that I didn't have to work, so I could study instead...."

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On this episode of Articles On-The-Go, tune in to learn about what NOT to do when it comes to email communication in Sterile Processing: "Is this everything you ever needed to know about email? Not even close. But hopefully it will help save you from one of those long walks of email-shame I had to take early on in my SPD career. You don't have to learn the hard way like some of us have. And remember, at the end of the day, each email you send becomes a part of your living, breathing resume -- so make sure you give yourself the best possible chance to be understood and taken seriously as the Sterile Processing professional you want to be..."

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On this episode of Articles On-The-Go, tune in to learn about why activity alone won't save your department: "So, how do we cope with this ever-present flurry of processing activity? Vendors wanting meetings, surgeons wanting answers, staff wanting attention, bosses wanting efficiency, and us wanting to succeed. Before I throw out a few answers to this, let's take a look at the most common, but least effective response to the overwhelming nature of our jobs as modern-day microbial dragon slayers..."

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On this episode of Articles On-The-Go, tune in to learn about how your hospital may be putting it's Sterile Processing team and their patients at risk: "Chances are high that there may be unmet needs sitting in plain sight in your facility's CS/SPD department. Even if this team made it through your most recent infection control tracer or tri-annual survey, there may still be issues that need addressing, capital that needs investing, and collaboration that needs implementing. Because many CS problems occur out of sight of perioperative leaders and physically removed from frontline patient care, it can be easy for hospital administrators to underestimate the real scope of their challenges and the fundamental importance they play. Miss something here and the best sterile technique in the world, the most prestigious surgeon, the fastest turnover time in the country will mean nothing. The headline will read "Dirty Surgery," and that's all that will matter to patients in your city..."

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On this episode of Articles On-The-Go, tune in to learn about onboarding best practices for Sterile Processing technicians: "With limited time and resources, most hospitals just can't afford an extended orientation process for frontline instrument technicians. So what are you to do? How do you take the raw material of an earnest, critical thinking new hire and turn them into the next Sterile Processing Leonidas, to stand against the invading forces of bioburden (and win)? Here are a few onboarding-weapons to help equip your preceptors and newbies for the coming microbial war:..."

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On this episode of Articles On-The-Go, tune in to learn about linking productivity with pay days in Sterile Processing: "If you're not already on the phone to your Director of Finance I've got even more ammunition for you. These numbers we're talking about aren't even touching the savings you could see in doing away with the need for costly overtime (at time and a half -- upwards of $3,000/month) and the competitive edge it would give your department both in retaining and recruiting the absolute top talent in your area. It would be a game changer.

If you're not sold on the idea, that's fine too. But the point I'm getting at is this: excellent techs -- both in quality and speed -- deserve to be rewarded and incentivized for excellent work. Departments who can figure out a creative way to do this will win the battle for cost-efficient quality that's currently raging across every Sterile Processing department in the country..."

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On this episode of Articles On-The-Go, tune in for encouragement around taking control of out-of-control consignment inventory in your Sterile Processing department: "If you feel like you're drowning in consignment trays, I hope this post gives you a few ideas on how to start the long, hard swim to the shore. If you're wanting to put your data collection and consignment process into overdrive, check out a few of the loaner/consignment management systems on the market -- and look into leveraging them to improve your facility's consignment management. Whatever you do, don't let your vendors forget that consignment is a privilege, not a right -- and be willing to break the chains if you need to...."

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On this episode of Articles On-The-Go, tune in for a game plan for excelling as an SPD Traveler AND a department who hires them: "When a new traveler arrives to begin a contract at your facility, don't forget these folks are not robots. They may be highly trained and highly experienced technicians, but they are still human beings. Their onboarding process may have to be accelerated, but it needs to be there, nonetheless. You should factor in adequate time for them to get acquainted with your department, staff, and particular "way of doing things," before asking them to work independently. And don't forget, whatever process or cultural issues that were already present in your department will most likely still be there when a traveler arrives. Be particularly cognizant of any permanent staff that may be tempted to be unwelcoming or overbearing toward these new additions to your team. Happy, well-adjusted travelers don't happen in spite of how you lead -- they happen because of it....

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On this episode of Articles On-The-Go, tune in for tips on tackling your missing instrument challenges: "Few things are more frustrating for front line techs than to be processing along at full speed, noticing an instrument is missing, and then knowing it will take them forever to find the proper replacement. Whether you utilize a drawer system, peg board, or bin storage for your backup instrumentation -- the key to success here is organization. Personally, I'm a fan of bin storage because it allows you to see the instruments (unlike the drawer system) and removing an instrument is not as difficult as with a crowded peg board (plus you can really make a bin system look sharp if you want to). The cultural impact of an organized backup inventory can mean the difference between a tech who happily spends 20 seconds finding the exact needleholder they need and a tech who begrudgingly leaves their table for a 10 minute excursion to the graveyard of productivity, a.k.a. the rat's nest of a backup wall you have. Don't make your techs choose between a productive night and completed surgical trays. They should want and be able to do both..."

Subscribe to follow Articles on the Go through iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, and anywhere else podcasts are found. #SterileProcessing