Among the challenges faced by healthcare
administrators is to ensure that advanced technologies are available
to surgical staffs when needed, while controlling repair and
maintenance expenses that can cut into new equipment budgets. Reducing
costs related to scope and instrument damage is considered to be vital
to controlling overall cost effectiveness.
The following tips can provide needed support in these
efforts:
1. Training pays major dividends—Mishandling is a
common cause of damage to delicate instruments and scopes, but can be
minimized through adequate training of the personnel who use,
transport or care for delicate equipment. Before a new product is
placed in service at the hospital, the SPD manager should insist on
thorough in-service training for all involved staff to avoid improper
handling.
2. Effective training is interdepartmental—Each
department plays a role in the proper care of equipment, and it is
more cost effective to teach people correct handling techniques than
to continually repair or replace broken scopes and instruments.
3. Track equipment damage—Monitoring damage is another
key preventive measure. It can help identify patterns of improper use
or handling and help improve staff education by emphasizing key areas
of concern.
4. Storage is the critical point—Proper scope storage
is an essential aspect of ensuring a long service life of expensive
scopes and instruments. Always use proper storage equipment and
techniques to prevent accidental damage.
5. Follow manufacturers’ suggested guidelines—It is
best to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for care and
handling of equipment to minimize the potential for accidental damage.
6. Third parties may offer poor suggestions for scope
and instrument care—Device manufacturers are the best source for
critical device information and instructions for proper care and
handling. Manufacturers are also ideally positioned to restore a
damaged scope or instrument to its original specifications and
performance quality.
