Improving Sterile Processing Operational Efficiency through Organizational Change

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Operations
• Infection Prevention
• Medical Device Processing

Background:

• Sterile processing departments (SPDs) are crucial for patient safety by ensuring proper reprocessing of medical devices.
• Complex surgical instruments increase demands on SPD staff, potentially impacting infection control.
• Failures in device processing can lead to healthcare-associated infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate operational challenges and identify areas for improvement within a sterile processing department.
• To understand staff perceptions of workflow, training, and leadership support in an academic medical center SPD.
• To assess organizational readiness for change in implementing sustainable improvement initiatives.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative organizational improvement study using semistructured interviews with 13 SPD and OR personnel.
• The study employed Kotter's change model, systems theory, and appreciative inquiry.
• Thematic coding and frequency analysis were used to analyze interview data.

Main Results:

• 77% of participants reported inconsistent adherence to procedures, especially during high surgical volume.
• Operational inefficiencies (92%), training gaps (69%), and workflow variations (62%) were identified.
• Concerns about leadership engagement and sustainability of improvements (62%) indicated mixed organizational readiness for change.

Conclusions:

• Standardized workflows, comprehensive workforce education, and interdisciplinary collaboration can improve SPD reliability and efficiency.
• Structured change management frameworks are essential for sustaining improvements in sterile processing.
• Aligning frontline practices, leadership accountability, and improvement efforts is vital for enhancing patient safety.