[Project to improve operating room surgical apparatus management].
OBJECTIVE
Surgical apparatus represent a critical hospital asset. Improper management of such both affects the effective progress of surgical procedures and threatens patient safety.


OBJECTIVE
This project aimed to improve the effectiveness of surgical apparatus management in order to improve surgical success rates, reduce surgical preparation times required of nurses, and increase the percentage of apparatus under management regimens.


METHODS
Analysis of data found that improper usage, maintenance, and management were principal factors leading to elevated failure rates, longer preparation times, and longer periods between maintenance. Therefore, strategies, including holding continuing education, implementing surgery categorization tailored to the inventory of each unit, and standardizing apparatus storage locations, were used to improve surgical apparatus management effectiveness.


RESULTS
After implementation, surgical apparatus failures dropped from 8.3% to 3.8%, surgical preparation time shortened from 8.2 minutes to 3.5 minutes, the audited accuracy rate for apparatus cleaning rose from 30% to 98.6%, and the maintenance rate achieved 100%.


CONCLUSIONS
This project enhanced surgical apparatus management effectiveness and improved surgical quality. Adoption of the proposed management system may benefit patient safety.
Chang
Yu-Hsia
YH
Department of Nursing, Cathay General Hospital, Sijhih, ROC.
Lin
Shin-An
SA
Juang
Fen-Chii
FC
Tsai
Tzung-Yi
TY
Hsiao
Shu-Tai Sheen
ST
D006801:Humans; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000517:prevention & control; D009873:Operating Rooms / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011786:Quality Control; D013525:Surgical Instruments / Q000592:standards