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Evaluating use of flash sterilization in the OR with regard to postoperative infections

Yukiko Leonard1, Karen Gabel Speroni, Martin Atherton

  • 1Inova Loudoun Hospital, Leesburg, VA, USA.

AORN Journal
|April 4, 2006
PubMed

Insights

This quality improvement project found that treating postoperative infections cost less than buying new surgical instruments. Reducing flash sterilization by increasing instrument inventory and staff education is recommended.

Area of Science:

  • Surgical quality improvement
  • Infection control in healthcare settings
  • Healthcare economics

Background:

  • Flash sterilization is a method for sterilizing surgical instruments quickly.
  • Over-reliance on flash sterilization may increase postoperative infection rates.
  • The cost-effectiveness of infection treatment versus instrument purchase needs evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess postoperative infection rates following surgical procedures involving flash sterilization.
  • To compare the costs associated with treating postoperative infections against the expense of acquiring additional surgical instruments.
  • To inform strategies for minimizing the use of flash sterilization.

Main Methods:

  • A quality improvement project was conducted.
  • Examined 100 surgical procedures with 121 instances of flash sterilization.
  • Calculated costs of treating postoperative infections and compared them to instrument purchasing costs.

Main Results:

  • A 3% postoperative infection rate was observed upon physical examination.
  • The total cost for diagnosing and managing postoperative infections was lower than the cost of purchasing new instruments.
  • Findings suggest that infection treatment costs are more economical than instrument acquisition.

Conclusions:

  • Minimizing flash sterilization is advisable to reduce infection risks.
  • Hospitals should consider increasing surgical instrument inventory.
  • Enhanced staff education on sterilization protocols is crucial for quality improvement.

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