For some sterile processing departments, what they do on a daily basis simply is regarded as a job, a set of tasks to service the operating room directly, and the patients indirectly. For others, sterile processing also represents a calling and a viable career path. But Toms River, NJ-based Community Medical Center also regards what they do as a crusade for how sterile processing and distribution departments and professionals should act, operate and be valued.

Today, ICPs’ work touches virtually every aspect of the healthcare facility and patient care; yet their time and efforts are fragmented, scattered in different directions, with healthcare-acquired infections not always receiving priority, presenting an obstacle to performing their work as they would like to and need to. But at least salaries are inching up.

Sterile Processing Equipment/Technology Guide

Ask supply chain management to grade its own customer service performance to the critical care and surgical service areas and it might acknowledge problems but justify the kinks to the frenetic pace and unpredictability of the cardiac/coronary and intensive care units as well as the surgical suites. But maybe it’s just a communications problem.