Elmed

FEBRUARY 11, 2022

Improper or inadequate decontamination, cleaning and sterilization of surgical instruments continues to be a major source of patient harm that is preventable through proper practice and adherence to manufacturers’ instructions for use (IFUs). The problem of contaminated instruments being returned to the O.R. 1 and Sept. after reprocessing.4

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Surgical Instruments Sterile Laboratory Test In-Procedure 40

Elmed

APRIL 21, 2021

Health officials determined that the infection control breach was due to human error that occurred during “a gap” in the manual pre-cleaning phase — before the instruments underwent heat sterilization. The instruments likely still contained bioburden when they were sent along for automated cleaning and heat sterilization.3

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Surgical Instruments Sterile Laboratory Test Surgical Site 40

Elmed

JANUARY 11, 2022

Over the past year there has been a lot of increased emphasis and attention placed on pre-cleaning surgical instruments at the point of use prior to transport to sterile reprocessing. Joint Commission then conducts their surveys/audits based on the standards that have been set for sterile processing activities. Section 7.3

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Surgical Instruments Sterile Laboratory Test Safety 40

Elmed

MARCH 10, 2021

While this happened a few years ago, it is a great example of the incredible importance of pre-cleaning at point of use, proper decontamination and thorough cleaning of surgical instruments during reprocessing and prior to sterilization. The hospital said it identified a gap in the pre-cleaning process , prior to sterilization.

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Hospital Surgery Surgical Instruments Sterile 40