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Enhancing Nighttime Surgical Instrument Cleaning Efficiency: An ECRS-Based Approach.

Authors
  • Hu, Ting1, 2
  • Yi, Liangying1, 2
  • Tang, Yuxin3
  • Chen, Yanhua1, 2
  • Hu, Ruixue4, 2
  • 1 Department of Sterile Processing Nursing, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University/West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China (mainland). , (China)
  • 2 Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, China (mainland). , (China)
  • 3 Medical Record Management Department, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China (mainland). , (China)
  • 4 Department of Sterile Processing Nursing, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan UniversityWest China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University/West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China (mainland). , (China)
Type
Published Article
Journal
Medical Science Monitor
Publisher
"International Scientific Information, Inc."
Publication Date
Jul 24, 2023
Volume
29
Identifiers
DOI: 10.12659/MSM.940346
PMID: 37482678
Source
Medline
Language
English
License
Unknown

Abstract

BACKGROUND Efficient and timely cleaning of surgical instruments is paramount for optimal patient care. Challenges often arise during the collection and processing of instruments utilized in nighttime surgical procedures, impeding effective cleaning. To address these inefficiencies, we employed the Eliminate-Combine-Rearrange-Simplify (ECRS) strategy to improve the quality and efficiency of nighttime surgical instrument cleaning processes. MATERIAL AND METHODS We optimized the nighttime surgical instrument cleaning process using the ECRS methodology. For the study, 27,308 surgical instruments cleaned between May and June 2021 were categorized as the control group, while 28,471 instruments cleaned between October and November 2021 constituted the observation group. We compared the number of quality defects in instrument cleaning, procedure times, and quantities of cleaning agents used before and after the implementation of ECRS. RESULTS With the ECRS application, the cleaning process was streamlined from 14 steps to 13. The quality defect rate, cleaning time per instrument batch, and average quantity of cleaning agent used per instrument were initially 2.11%, 115 minutes, and 0.278 mL/piece, respectively. Post-ECRS implementation, these measures were significantly reduced to 0.26%, 91 minutes, and 0.193 mL/piece, correspondingly. CONCLUSIONS The ECRS strategy presents a practical solution to optimize the cleaning process for surgical instruments used during nighttime procedures. This approach not only improves the quality and efficiency of cleaning but also contributes to cost reduction. This underscores the potential of ECRS in enhancing healthcare operation management.

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