Evaluating use of flash sterilization in the OR with regard to postoperative infections.
This article describes a quality improvement project that examined postoperative infection rates for 100 surgical procedures in which a total of 121 flash sterilizations were performed and determined the costs of treating the postoperative infections compared to the cost of purchasing additional instruments. The post operative infection rate on physical examination was 3%, and the overall cost of diagnosing and treating the postoperative infections was found to be lower than the cost of purchasing additional instruments. To minimize use of flash sterilization, the hospital has added additional surgical instrument inventory and expanded flash sterilization education requirements for staff members.
Inova Loudoun Hospital, Leesburg, VA, USA.
Yukiko
Y
Leonard
Karen Gabel
KG
Speroni
Martin
M
Atherton
Joy
J
Corriher
D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D013527:Perioperative Nursing; D013242:Sterilization / Q000379:methods*; D013525:Surgical Instruments / Q000191:economics / Q000382:microbiology*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014768:Virginia / Q000453:epidemiology