Reusable laparoscopic instruments: continuous quality improvement

Proactive management of processing activities is cost effective, fulfills the requirements of the Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, and meets professional recommended practices. Controlling the variables is the key to producing an acceptable product each and every time. It may not be possible to completely eliminate variations, but they can be reduced to an acceptable level with product testing; simple, illustrated procedures with measurable outcomes; employee education; and adequate inventory. A cost-effective system approach can be developed to provide a high level of assurance that rigid laparoscopic instruments are clean, functional, and sterile each time they are used.