Central service technicians, also known as sterile processing technicians, play an important role in infection prevention by sterilizing, cleaning, processing, assembling, storing, and delivering medical supplies. A healthcare facility’s core service department is the heart of all activities involving supplies and equipment required for surgery and patient care.
Sterilization and sterile processing techniques are taught to central service technicians who usually have SPT certification. Sterile processing is the process of cleaning medical materials and reusing them. Initially, tools are dismantled, cleaned, and disinfected manually and mechanically. They are examined for damage to guarantee that tools and equipment can be reused. When medical equipment has been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, it is sterilized and packed for reuse. After that, the tools are reissued and put in a sterile storage facility.
Hospitals mostly employ central service technicians. At the same time, considerable job growth is predicted in physician offices and clinics, including outpatient care centers, ambulatory surgery centers, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities.
They operate behind the scenes in a fast-paced, ever-changing workplace. Despite their critical role in infection prevention, technicians have relatively little direct patient contact. Nonetheless, there is a considerable danger of exposure.
Because of the nature of the job, they must protect themselves from blood, body fluids, and strong cleaning chemicals when decontaminating instruments and equipment. Personal protection equipment (PPE) like gowns, gloves, and face masks are often required.
With work as critical as central sterile processing, associations are continually seeking innovative ways to optimize workflow, processes, and standards to improve patient safety; these standards change regularly.
Yet, one patient’s experience might differ widely from institution to hospital. Investing in online education to earn a CBSPD certification is one of the simplest methods to ensure every technician processes the same way. The CBSPD Certification Program aims to guarantee that all SPD practitioners demonstrate a specific degree of expertise in established processes.
Obtaining CBSPD certification ultimately puts the patient’s safety first. With every team member on the same page, you can be certain that you have safety protocols to protect any patient who comes into touch with assets reprocessed by your team.
Continue reading the infographic below from Martinson College to learn further about why sterile processing is important.
