Steam Sterilization

• 6/30/2009
• Author: Kristine Miller
• Category: EC News Blog
• 26609 Views
• 0 Comments
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The Joint Commission has just issued a statement about steam sterilization of medical instruments. In a nutshell, the statement says that the Joint Commission will focus on “a complete and effective process of sterilization.” You can read the entire statement here.

What does this mean to you as a facilities and engineering professional?

"Maintainers and users have to make sure they’re talking to each other," says George Mills, M.B.A., F.A.S.H.E., C.E.M., C.H.F.M., C.H.S.P., senior engineer, Standards Interpretation Group, The Joint Commission.

Mills gives the example of a well-run facility, where the maintenance staff and the central sterile supply staff get together regularly—maybe over coffee and donuts. "Suppose that the users—who work first shift—have noticed that the loads are coming out of the sterilizer a little wet. Meanwhile, the maintainers—who work third shift—have the sterilizer set and maintained to all its specs. If these people are talking on a regular basis, the supply people can say, ‘Hey! The load’s a little wet!’ And the maintainers can adjust it right away—before there’s a bigger problem."

So keep talking—and you’ll keep it clean!