This case study highlights the impact of adopting digital tracking in sterile processing at a Midwest healthcare facility, demonstrating how these tools provide measurability to streamline staff training for improved outcomes. Tailored data utilization, increased quality reporting, a parameter cleanup and documentation of support tickets were implemented in order to create visibility into the various moving parts in everyday workflows in the sterile processing department.
Measurability in sterile processing departments consists of a wide array of process tracking, such as workflow, inventory management, organizational structures, and patient outcomes. Measurability creates objectivity–it is the basis for assessing potential improvements in healthcare quality. Healthcare facilities can find patterns amongst the complexities of SPD workflows, utilizing measurability to target resources to improve patient outcomes.
Evidence suggests improving staff education based on accurate and comprehensive data collection improves overall productivity in the sterile processing department.
