Objective
The purpose of the case study is to allow you to analyze information retained over the duration of the sterile processing program and apply that knowledge obtained to provide specific solutions to common issues that may occur within the sterile processing department.
Instructions
Choose two of the four topics listed below:
Decontamination Principles
Sterilization Methods
Preparation of Medical Equipment and Supplies
Inventory Control and Distribution Systems
Once the two case studies are chosen, answer the questions using your own vocabulary and address the conflicts or issues with solutions specific to your topics of choice. You will utilize your text or other credible sources from the internet to build a thorough paper that contains at least eight main ideas with supporting details regarding the topic chosen and a minimum of three credible references. The paper must be written in APA format with a title page, introduction, body, conclusion, and reference page. Please refer to the rubric regarding specific grading criteria.
Case Study Scenarios
1. Decontamination Principles:
Dr. Sarmiento is a well-known neurosurgeon at Baptist Medical Center. He is known for working on complex cases that involve the spine and other neurological tissues. This past week, his private scrub tech has discovered that dirty neurological instruments have made it into the OR. The technician consults with the patient care manager of surgical services because the incident has been reoccurring over the past few months. With this knowledge, respond to the following questions:
What issue(s) have occurred, and what may be the cause of these errors?
What other additional considerations may the sterile processing tech need to take with instruments exposed to neurological tissues?
What might the sterile processing department have to do to resolve this issue?
Thoroughly explain the decontamination process. What steps should take place in the OR? In SPD? Why is cleaning considered the cornerstone of instrument processing?
2. Sterilization Methods:
Kristine, a technician in the sterile processing department, has noticed that after the sterilization of surgical equipment and supplies that at least two out of every four loads sterilized for the day have been moist. She has consulted with her supervisor on effective ways in which she could troubleshoot the concerns with wet loads because it has now affected the department’s work efficiency and quality control.
Define a wet pack.
Define a wet load.
Why might the loads be wet? Provide at least three unique causes.
What solutions can Kristine apply to ensure that the processed instrument sets aren’t wet?
Discuss how this issue can affect both the operating room and the sterile processing department. How should Kristine handle the wet packages to ensure quality control?
3. Preparation of Medical Equipment and Supplies:
Over the last month, the operating room has received rigid containers without filters, assembled instrumentation such as Poole suction devices in sterilized sets, and closed instruments within the sterile instrument sets.
Discuss in detail how each issue listed above can impact safe and efficient patient care.
Discuss the instrument inspection, assembly, and packaging processes.
What can the sterile processing technician do to ensure that all items are prepared and packaged correctly?
How does this situation impact the operating room staff?
4. Inventory Control and Distribution:
The sterile processing department at Hershey-Chocolate Medical Center has an excessive amount of inventory. Management has decided to restructure the inventory system used in their facility and has asked you to research at minimum four different inventory systems that may help with the safe and efficient distribution of medical supplies and are also cost-effective.
What inventory system may work well for their department? Discuss at least four types of inventory systems and how each could initiate a more controlled environment of inventory for the facility.
How can distribution be affected by excessive inventory?
Please review the rubric to see how you will be graded for this final project. Ensure that all of these areas are covered to ensure the best achievable score. Before submitting your assignment, check your work using Grammarly.
