A Systematic Approach to Improve the Reprocessing of Surgical Instruments

Hospital systems currently face challenges associated with insufficient cleaning and maintenance of surgical instruments. These instrument reprocessing challenges jeopardize patient safety, cause significant damage to reputation, and contribute to additional costs. Our team collaborated with doctors, nurses, instrument reprocessing technicians, and supervisors in the neurosurgical service and the Central Sterile Processing Department at a university hospital. We focused on how instrument cleanability and the configuration of instrument sets impact the effectiveness and efficiency of surgical instrument reprocessing. We developed an Excel-based set-configuration tool to aid in reconfiguring instrument sets to reduce the impact of bioburden. To validate the tool, we separated bioburden-prone instruments from the neurosurgical service's most heavily used instrument set. We also developed a Cleanability Index to rate surgical instruments and sets based on their difficulty of cleaning.