Sterile processing departments are home to highly technical and complex processes and equipment, all of which are critical for patient safety and infection control. In this webinar, we take you on a tour of two sterile processing departments, highlighting the workflow and key equipment, supplies, quality assurance tools, and PPE used in each specialized area. Participants will receive a broad overview of sterile processing procedures and learn strategies for collaborating with department personnel to improve practices and protect both patients and personnel. 

Objectives

• Explain the department layout, dirty-to-clean workflow, and activities happening in various areas within a sterile processing department
• Describe feature of washer-disinfectors, automated endoscope reprocessors, and sterilization systems (liquid chemical, low-temperature gas, and steam)
• Discuss hazards and the role of PPE in reducing risk for sterile processing workers
• Identify key guidelines and standards that govern processing activities and quality assurance
• List three strategies for enhancing a collaborative relationship between infection prevention and sterile processing

Instructors

Cori L. Ofstead, MSPH
President and CEO, Ofstead & Associates, Inc.
Cori Ofstead is an epidemiologist with 30 years of experience designing and conducting studies about the impact of clinical processes on patient outcomes. She has served as the Principal Investigator on numerous studies related to infection prevention, instrument reprocessing, and vaccination against infectious diseases. Ms. Ofstead is nationally recognized for her groundbreaking research, and her studies have been published in peer-reviewed journals including CHEST, AJIC, ICHE, Journal of Hospital Infection, Endoscopy International Open, Urology, Journal of Wound Care, Gastroenterology Nursing, and Vaccine. She currently serves as a reviewer for AJIC, The Journal of Hospital Infection, Endoscopy, and the Journal of Urology, and is an active member of the editorial board for AJIC. She has presented the findings of her studies at national and international conferences sponsored by the CDC, APIC, HSPA, AORN, SGNA, AGA, ASGE, and several universities. 

Abby G. Smart, MPH 
Senior Research Associate, Ofstead & Associates, Inc. 
Abby Smart, MPH joined the Ofstead & Associates team in 2019, where she participates in real-world studies and conducts surveillance of peer‐reviewed evidence and government reports. She has developed CE courses and YouTube videos on infection control topics. Her recent work focuses on surgical instrument, flexible endoscope, and ultrasound probe processing and inspection. She was a co‐author on manuscripts related to instrument processing published in AJIC, BI&T, Urology, Journal of Medical Virology, and HSPA’s PROCESS magazine. Abby has experience in a variety of research settings, including a developmental psychology research group and virology and chemistry labs where she conducted analysis for public health and environmental research.