November 2010 - Back Talk

People, Places, Processes & Products that Influence the Supply Chain

INSIDE THE CURRENT ISSUE

November 2010

IAHCSMM Viewpoint

Why CSSDs should participate in OR Nurse Week

by Julie E. Williamson

Central Sterile Supply Department professionals may have just celebrated National Central Service/Sterile Processing Week in October, but that’s certainly not the only month on the calendar worthy of their attention.

November 8-14, 2010, has been named Perioperative Nurse Week and those seven dedicated days present another golden opportunity for CSSD professionals to show their support of their surgical services customers – and demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in regard to instrument care, handling and processing.

"CSSD and OR professionals, while in different disciplines, are still very much aligned in their goal – which is to provide the highest quality care. Both departments have a lot to teach one another, and because the OR is CSSD’s biggest customer, it stands to reason that CSSD professionals should take part in Perioperative Nurse Week," said IAHCSMM educational director Natalie Lind.

CSSD professionals that haven’t yet developed a solid partnership with the OR can use the dedicated week to start bridging gaps and opening up the lines of communication. Managers should use the opportunity to reach out to OR nurses directly, offering their support and appreciation, and asking how they can help celebrate as an allied partner. Nurses may have sterilization- or instrumentation-related questions or concerns that the CSSD can answer in an informal educational session with OR staff and, likewise, CSSD staff may benefit from visiting the OR to learn about different procedures and instrumentation-related challenges surgeons, nurses and surgical technicians routinely face.

"CSSD professionals should understand how the instruments, supplies and other items are used in the OR, and by whom. [Those] who understand the importance of how and why certain procedures are done will have a better insight into their OR colleagues’ emphasis on certain processes," noted Patricia Siefert, RN, MSN, CNOR, CRNFA, FAAN, editor-in-chief of AORN Journal. She also pointed out that OR nurses have a duty to educate CSSD staff about the use of the instruments and why some things are more critical than others. "One of the key things is to ask questions in the spirit of wanting to learn how to improve one’s skills and to make a difference to the patient. And it is important to want to improve relationships."

Rise to the occasion

What follows are some suggestions to help CSSD staff and OR nurses make the most of Perioperative Nurse Week and, ideally, promote better teamwork, quality and camaraderie throughout the entire year.

Managers and technicians (on all shifts) should attend at least one Perioperative Nurse Week event.

Prior to Perioperative Nurse Week ask nurses if they have any CSSD-related questions or challenges that need addressing. Provide concise typewritten answers to their questions and present them during the celebratory week. If the OR is experiencing any instrumentation challenges (malfunctioning devices, excessive repair requests, etc.), work with the nurses (and surgeons) to create a mutually acceptable resolution. If it’s a vendor-related issue, offer to arrange a vendor inservice for additional clarification and education.

Offer to help decorate and plan activities to commemorate Perioperative Nurse Week (OR nurses may return the favor during CS Week).

If the CSSD has a departmental newsletter, include an announcement about Perioperative Nurse Week and tout the importance of ongoing nurse support and inter-departmental teamwork.

Reach out to OR nurses in person and ask if you or one of your CSSD peers can provide a brief instrumentation- or sterilization-related inservice for the OR staff (this provides a unique opportunity for technicians with more advanced skills, such as Certified Instrument Specialists, to share their knowledge).

Create an information packet on processing standard changes that impact CSSD practices (and, consequently, the OR), and hand-deliver to nurses (they can then disseminate the information to surgeons, as well). Be sure to include references and/or citations to support and validate the content.

If immediate use ("flash") sterilization is becoming too common – or if OR staff is pushing for faster instrument turnaround – educate them on the importance of terminal sterilization and the risks associated with rushing the process. Use industry standards to support the discussion/rationale.

Provide OR nurses with a ‘Thank You’ or congratulatory card (have the entire CSSD staff sign it!), and a batch of homemade cookies or other baked good. Package it along with a copy of the new IAHCSMM DVD, Central Sterile Supply Department: It All Starts Here.

Assign a CSSD liaison to improve communication between CSSD and OR (this serves as an act of good faith to improve customer service to the OR). Ask OR nurses if they would be willing to provide a liaison from their department, as well.

Ask nurses how CSSD might further improve customer service and arrange a time to mutually discuss new ways the two departments can partner for quality.