by Cathy A. Denning, RN, MSN, Senior Director,
Contract Services – Surgical, Portfolio at Novation

a. Standardization to one supplier for general surgical instruments and for most specialty instruments

b. Choose a supplier that offers an instrument tracking system. If the supplier does not offer one, invest in one. Many instruments are lost due to poor tracking.

c. Contract with a good third party equipment repair company and one that is open to working with the original equipment manufacturer to ensure they understand the best method of instrument maintenance

d.Ensure appropriate maintenance of the equipment used to clean and sterilize instruments

i. Ensure appropriate amount of chemicals are utilized

ii. Ensure appropriate use of wrap and containers

e. Invest appropriately on the front end with regard to the set of instruments being purchased. Do not buy a top of the line instrument when an economy grade instrument will do however, know when you need each. Saving a few cents on the initial purchase may cost dollars later on.

f. Choose a supplier that has an instrument consignment option in order to decrease purchase orders and inventory handling costs

g. Take advantage of the warranty provided with the instruments. Most suppliers offer lifetime warranty against defects in workmanship. With regard to limited warranty, based on the type of instrument, tracking of date of purchase is achieved with etchings to ensure the warranty is fulfilled.

h. Take advantage of bulk and group buys

i.  Take advantage of any CE programs and training programs offered by the supplier related to instrument care.

a. Have an evaluation and conversion plan in place.

i. See conversion checklist and plan documents

b. Ensure supplier support for the evaluation

i. Training of central sterile and processing staff, Operating Room staff and physicians as necessary

ii. On-site clinical and technical support

iii. Cross reference expertise

iv. Supplier code of conduct for the evaluation

v. Ensure supplier commitment to the process and obtain in writing any trade-in or trade-out value that is proposed