The World Health Organisation has announced 17th September 2019 as the very first World Patient Safety Day. The objective is to create global awareness and a culture of patient safety that empowers health workers and leaders.
Patient Safety in a hospital is everybody’s job – not just the treating teams’. One such important contributor to patient safety is the Central Sterile Supplies Department (CSSD), also called Sterile Processing Department (SPD). The CSSD is the first line of defense in combating patient infections for a hospital.
Contaminated or improperly sterilized surgical supplies are among the biggest contributors to Hospital Acquired Infections (HAI) that can then cause complications in recovery, longer hospital stays and higher treatment costs. The CSSD Department is entrusted with the task of sterilizing reusable surgical instruments and supplies before each use; instruments ranging from simple knife handles and forceps to more complex arthroscopic shavers and fiberoptic endoscopes. Technicians in this department work round the clock to ensure effective and timely sterilization of items such as surgical instruments, implants, dressing materials for safe use inside operating rooms, wards, ICUs, examination rooms etc.
Their task is a complex one – first they have to be on their toes all day, working in harsh environments wearing personal protective gear (which is often overlooked for the sake of convenience or lack of awareness) and operating myriad equipment such as washers, disinfectors, dryers, air sprays, sterilisers, etc. They handle contaminated items that have been used on patients and are, therefore, often exposed to deadly viruses / bacteria. Add to this the plethora and complexity of protocols they must follow and the range of instruments that they handle – open surgery / minimally invasive surgery / robotic surgery instruments. In most cases, skills are learnt on-the-job by following practices already followed by others, whether right or wrong.
On the occasion of the very first World Patient Safety Day, we want to celebrate this, largely unsung, community of CSSD professionals that work behind the scenes but are out-sized contributors in ensuring infection free treatment at hospitals the world over!
We CSSD professionals are taking extra care of surgical instruments after every use and working as manufacturing cum productions dept.
Always ensuring sterility assurance of all reprocessing of medical devices being used on patients and hence instrumental to patients care.
You are right ! CSSD has to be celebrated!
Rightly put forward the views. CSSD is the first and foremost combat for Patient safety. Wish all HCO to join hands to make the day sucess. We have to pledge for patient safety. Wish you all happy world patient day.
Thank you and wish you the same. You have been a champion for us at Pivot Smartflow as well!
Good information madam.
Thank you !
Very well drafted
Thanks!
Regarding Hospital acquired infection very very little is happening in handling the post operative used surgical instruments.which require not only remidies and action in words but in practical also. Lot of mishandling a and no awareness is happening especially in implants handling.
Very truly said Cssd is the department who give first hand to infection control team in reducing the infections in the hospital’s.
Thanks for your comments.
Thanks for your comments. Very pertinent points. Knowledgable users and stakeholders like you have to speak up. We have to work as a community to highlight our issues and find solutions for them.
Truly said Cssd is the dept who give first hand to infection control team in reducing the infections in the hospital’s.
Literally, doctors and nurses are our real-life heroes who take care of our health and fitness. Thanks for the content.