title: [A refinement of the supply system to reduce instrument packaging re-sterilization rates].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sterilized instrument packages facilitate instrument availability in surgery. However, repeated sterilizations after expiration of disinfection validity results in additional costs. Last year, an average of 2,505 instrument packages were re-sterilized each month due to expiration. Reducing the re-sterilization rate is an issue in terms of cost reduction.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In this study, we tried to decrease the instrument package re-sterilization rate by refining the hospital instrument supply system. The result reduced costs and enhanced patient safety.
  
  
  METHODS
  Refinement procedures included staff re-education, changing sterilization and packing methods to extend the validity period, establishing a warning system, periodic examination of demand, and establishing an auditing system. Average numbers of expired packages and sterilization costs were compared pre- and post-study period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average amount of expired packages fell from 2505/month to 592/month. The expiration rate decreased from 25.7 % to 5.9 %. Costs of re-sterilization decreased from 82,665 NTD per month to 19,536 NTD per month (i.e., a decrease of 63,129 NTD in costs per month).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Refining the supply system can reduce expiration and re-sterilization rates for instrument packaging, achieving lower costs without sacrificing quality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital -Kaohsiung Medical Center, ROC.
authors.forename: Shu-Chu
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Chuan-Yu
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Chou
authors.forename: Tzu-Wei
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: She
authors.forename: Shu-Hwa
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D019064:Product Packaging; D013242:Sterilization / Q000191:economics; D013525:Surgical Instruments