Many CSSDs face the challenge of servicing the high demands of medical equipment reprocessing cost-effectively. Taking a look at the reprocessing cycle, it is made up of many sub-steps: from manual pre-cleaning and cleaning, to automated reprocessing and sterilisation. To identify potential cost savings, a thorough review of the entire instrument reprocessing cycle is needed.
Contamination occurs primarily in manual activities, especially during the pre- and post-cleaning of instruments. A careful analysis of the routines and processes in CSSD can help to identify and eliminate inefficient or redundant steps in the reprocessing process.
The washer/disinfector process and the quality of cleaning chemistries used are of utmost importance: If everything is optimally coordinated, many manual activities on the unclean side can be eliminated. In turn, the amount of PPE required for personnel can be reduced, which has a positive effect on the overall costs.
Only rarely do CSSD managers have time to focus long-term on comprehensive optimisation of reprocessing routines and tackle issues such as deep cleaning, passivation and ultimately the potential reduction in repair costs. A comprehensive process analysis however, clearly highlights the potential cost savings around reprocessing operations.