Best Practices for Storage of Reusable Medical Devices in the Military Health System

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Infection Control
• Medical Device Reprocessing

Background:

• Reusable medical devices (RMDs) require meticulous reprocessing and storage to maintain sterility and prevent surgical site infections.
• Compliance with stringent RMD storage guidelines is challenging for healthcare organizations (HCOs), particularly in austere settings.
• Optimal RMD storage is critical for patient safety and effective healthcare delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify optimal storage practices for reusable medical devices (RMDs).
• To emphasize the importance of RMD storage within the Military Health System.
• To derive policy implications and future considerations for RMD storage.

Main Methods:

• An integrative literature review was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Embase.
• Keywords included "instrument storage," "surgical instruments," "sterile storage," "sterile wrap," and "flexible endoscope storage" (1980-2024).
• International guidelines were also reviewed to supplement the literature search.

Main Results:

• Six central themes emerged: facility design, environmental factors, sterile packaging, event-related storage, point-of-care delivery, and endoscope storage.
• Adherence to numerous evidence-based recommendations is complex, posing challenges in austere environments.
• Integrating RMD storage into training and operations fosters stewardship for safe surgical care.

Conclusions:

• Effective surgical care relies on robust management and storage of RMDs.
• Existing guidelines for RMD storage are rigorous and can be intensified in austere conditions.
• Integrating literature and developing clinical practice guidelines can enhance safe RMD storage in all environments.