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[A refinement of the supply system to reduce instrument packaging re-sterilization rates]
Shu-Chu Hsu1, Chuan-Yu Chou, Tzu-Wei She
1Department of Nursing, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital -Kaohsiung Medical Center, ROC.
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.
Objects:
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.
Resolution:
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).
Conclusion:
Refining the supply system can reduce expiration and re-sterilization rates for instrument packaging, achieving lower costs without sacrificing quality.
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