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Healthcare Articles from the Press

To read past content click on the Articles, News, and the Blog links on the menu.

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That’s according to Dr. William Rutala, director of the Statewide Program for Infection Control and Epidemiology and professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina. At the 2025 edition of the KILMER conference, Rutala took a wide-lens view of his field. Drawing on his decades of experience and more than 700 scientific publications, he discussed new sterilization technologies, surface disinfection, endoscope sterilization, ethylene oxide, and more.

Image by Andreas Klassen

04/01/25
Measuring SPD Productivity is a Vital Task
By Tony Thurmond, CRCST, CHL, CIS, FCS

n many businesses, including healthcare, productivity is often tied to profit or loss. Focusing on output instead of the demand for products and services poses a challenge, however, because an individual or team can be considered productive, even when they struggle to meet customer demands and needs. In the sterile processing department (SPD), for example, a technician could feel satisfied by their efforts and output but still fail to keep up due heavy procedural volume as well as limited instrumentation and other resources.

Image by National Cancer Institute

4/11/25
Flexible Endoscopes

Damage and Impact

EndoPro Magazine 

Preventable GI endoscope damage can primarily be avoided by following proper handling practices during procedures; thorough cleaning and disinfection protocols after each use; scrutinizing the endoscope for any defects, and storing it correctly to prevent physical damage, including avoiding excessive bending or twisting of the insertion tube; using appropriate cleaning accessories; not forcing instruments through channels; performing leak tests regularly; and storing the scope in a designated, well-ventilated cabinet; all while adhering to the manufacturer’s instructions for use

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4/07/25
Enhancing Patient Safety With a Unique Device Identification Tracking System

By Tori Whitacre Martonicz

In the fast-paced, high-stakes world of surgical care, precision is non-negotiable—especially when tracking surgical instruments. At the AORN Global Surgical Conference & Expo held from April 5 to 9, 2025, in Boston, Massachusetts, a poster presented by Pingtung Veterans General Hospital and Weiho University unveiled a groundbreaking solution: a Unique Device Identification (UDI) barcode tracking system designed to bring traceability, safety, and efficiency to the surgical environment.

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04/01/25
How Ultrasonic Cleaning Enhances Patient Safety
By Rebecca Leach, MPH, BSN, RN, CIC

The cleaning and disinfecting of reusable medical instruments and devices is a crucial process in patient safety for health care facilities. Sterile processing departments are often overlooked in their importance to the entire facility, but infection preventionists need to have a working understanding of all the steps, various types of equipment involved, and potential points of risk for disease transmission that can occur.

3/24/25

Beyond Immediate-Use Steam Sterilization: Ensuring Safe and Efficient Sterilization in the Operating Room

By Marjorie Wall, EDBA, CRCST, CIS, CHL, CSSBB

 

03/01/25

Automation in the Sterile Processing DepartmentImproving efficiency and quality without stressing the system 

Kara Nadeau

 

02/23/25

Measuring SPD Productivity is a Vital Task

By Tony Thurmond, CRCST, CHL, CIS, FCS

 

2/18/25

The Case for Single-Use Spine Instruments

Outpatient Surgery Magazine

 

01/30/25

A Closer Look at High-Reliability Organizations in Endoscopy

Lisa Heard, MSN RN CGRN CPHQ CPPS

 

1/28/25

AAMI Updates Materials Compatibility Guidance for EO, Other Modalities

AAMI

 

 

01/21/25

Leading SPDs with Empathy, Gratitude

By David Taylor

01/15/25

Pioneering Advances in Sterilization: The Future of Infection Control 

By Marjorie Wall, EDBA, CRCST, CIS, CHL, CSSBB

 

1/08/25

Clean the Chamber Drain Strainer to Aid Autoclave Performance

By David Taylor III, MSN, RN, CNOR

 

12/31/24

Back to Basics in the SPD

Kara Nadeau

 

12/11/24

Improve Employee Recruitment and Retention for SPD

By Marie Brewer, CST, CRCST, CIS, CHL, CER, GTS, CLSSBB

11/19/24

Smart Handling of Scopes Saves Time and Money While Safeguarding Care

Kara Nadeau

 

11/14/24

Time is money: The impact of case duration inaccuracies on surgical departments

IMO Health 

 

11/08/24

Standardizing Packaging for All Kinds of Sterile Device Transportation

by OR Today Magazine | AAMI

 

 

11/07/24

How Cleaning Medical Equipment Directly Affects Patient Safety and Equipment Longevity

By Jinesh Patel, MBA, MS

 

11/06/24

AORN Updating Guideline for Sterilization

By Susan Klacik, BS, CRCST, CIS, CHL, ACE, FCS

 

10/26/24

Clean the Chamber Drain Strainer to Aid Autoclave Performance

By David Taylor III, MSN, RN, CNOR

 

10/22/24

Quiz: Are your instruments actually sterile?

Amanda Hill, BSDH, RDH, CDIPC

 

10/16/24

New fluorescent light technology detects hidden bacteria in wounds

By Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter

 

10/10/24

How SPDs and ORs Can Manage Missing Instruments

By Tony Thurmond, CRCST, CIS, CHL, FCS

 

10/08/24

Instrument Containment, Transport and Storage Success Stories

And product solutions designed for efficacy, safety and efficiency

By Kara Nadeau

 

9/26/24

Every-Load Monitoring in Low-Temperature Sterilization: A Solution to Device Complexity and Failure RisksBy Marjorie Wall, EDBA, CRCST, CIS, CHL, CSSBB

 

9/24/24

Addressing Sterile Processing Instrument Errors With Advanced Technology and Data Insights

By Marjorie Wall, EDBA, CRCST, CIS, CHL, CSSBB

 

9/19/24

Library of Standards, Guidelines for SPDs: Do You Have These Essential Ones?

By Susan Klacik, BS, CRCST, CIS, CHL, ACE, FCS

 

9/18/24

Reduce Risk of SSIs from Surgical Attire, Stethoscopes & Personal Items

By: Periop Today

 

09/12/24

The Patient Safety Partnership: OR, SP & IP

By Don Sadler

 

8/21/24

When Should Safety Showers & Emergency Eyewashes Be Used? 

Alexandra Schirn

 

8/15/24

New Consensus on the Sterilization of Single-Use Systems for Manufacturing​

AAMI

 

8/13/24

Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center Resumes Surgeries

By Janette Wider

 

8/08/24

Artificial Intelligence Aims to Standardize Endoscopy Inspection

By Chase Doyle

 

08/06/24

Internal Damage and the SPD

Author: Garrett Hollembeak

 

8/01/24

New Guidance for Processing and Handling of Probes, Dilators and Accessories

By Susan Klacik, BS, CRCST, FCS, CHL, CIS, AAMIf

7/30/24

Quarterly Check-ins Give SP Leadership a Boost​

David Taylor

7/24/24

Study Explores Borescope Inspections of Surgical Instrument Lumens

by OR Today Magazine

 

7/18/24

Bioburden Bible: Identifying and Reprocessing Human Bioburden in Instrument Reprocessing

Pure Processing 

 

07/11/24

Progressive Discipline in the SPD: When & Why?

David Taylor,Kristina Pirollo-Ketchum

 

7/09/24

Education & Training: The Case for Sterile Processing Certification

By: Casey Czarnowski, BA, CRCST, CSPDT, CIS, CER

 

7/02/24

Staffing: Overcome Budget Challenges

By: Raghu Reddy, MBA

 

06/27/24

10 Key Considerations in Instrument Reprocessing Site Selection

Kara Nadeau

 

6/26/24

Internal Damage and the SPD

Author: Garrett Hollembeak

 

06/20/24

Microbicidal Maintenance: What Is It? Why Use It?

By Shigeharu Yamauchi and Todd Mikowski, Nichia Corporation

 

6/19/24

Ethylene Oxide Sterilizer Standard Updated to Reflect Technological Changes

Author: Dan Visnovsky

 

6/13/24

Common inspection points for surgical instrumentation

By: Susan Klacik, BS, FCS, ACE, CHL, CIS, CRCST, AAMIF

 

6/11/24

New Guidance on Dilator and Ultrasound Processing for Health Care Facilities of Any Size


by OR Today Magazine 

 

6/06/24

AAMI and AORN Guidance Document Updates Affect SPDs

By Susan Klacik, BS, CRCST, CIS, CHL, ACE, FCS

 

06/05/24

Proposed Revisions to the Infection Prevention and Control (IC) Chapter Requirements for the Ambulatory Health Care (AHC) Program Field Review

The Joint Commission

 

6/04/24

Sterile Processing Leaders: Are You Keeping Track of IFU and Manufacturer Updates?

By David Taylor III, MSN, RN, CNOR

 

5/29/24

Top 5 most challenging requirements for 2023

The Joint Commission

 

05/28/24

Ensuring Employee Safety and Health in Healthcare Sterile Processing: Best Practices 

Zhan You Li

 

5/23/24

APIC New Report Calls for Action: Simplifying Medical Device Instructions for Use

Tori Whitacre Martonicz

05/21/24

Target 7: Report finds Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital ‘failed’ standard of patient care due to stained surgical instruments. What changes have been made?By Isabella Ledonne

 

5/16/24

Four Takeaways on Sterile Processing (and more) From a Military Surgical Tech

By: Matthew Nojiri 

 

5/14/24

Reclaim Your Time and Recharge: The Power of Boundaries

Brenna Doran, PhD, MA, ACC, CIC

 

05/09/24

FDA Announces Guidance on Medical Device Remanufacturing and Servicing

Infection Control Today® Editorial Staff

5/07/24

Enhancing Medical Education: The Journey of Colors Method in Sterilization Center Training

Tori Whitacre Martonicz

 

05/02/24

Map SPD Workflow to Increase Efficiencies, Eliminate Wasted Steps

BY TONY THURMOND, CRCST, CIS, CHL, FCS

 

4/30/24

Preventing Surgical Site Infection in the OR: A Comprehensive Approach to Point-of-Use Instrument Care

Tori Whitacre Martonicz

 

4/23/24

Point-Counterpoint: Offsite vs. In-House Sterile Processing

By: Adam Taylor 

 

04/18/24

Ensuring Safety and Comfort: The Urgent Need for Well-Fitted PPE in Health Care

Tori Whitacre Martonicz

 

4/17/24

Study Shows Majority of Surgical Site Infections Stem From Bacteria Acquired Before Patient Enters Hospital

Matt MacKenzie

 

04/11/24

Run SPD Like an Efficient, Effective Business

By David Taylor III, MSN, RN, CNOR and Robert Leenan, BS, CRCST, CIS, CCSVP

 

4/09/24

How to Successfully Plan for Space, Equipment, Staff, and Workflows in Sterile Processing Departments

John Kimsey

 

4/04/24

AORN Updates Team Communication and Environment of Care Guidelines: Their Impact on SPD

By Susan Klacik, BS, CRCST, CIS, CHL, FCS, HSPA Clinical Educator

 

03/26/24

10 Urgent Patient Safety Challenges in 2024

Ashleigh Hollowell (Twitter)

 

3/21/24

Why OR leaders should revisit sterile processing basics

 By: Uyen Vo, BSN, MBA

 

03/18/24

Reasons Ultrasonic Cleaners Are Essential for Hospitals

Ultra Clean Systems, Inc

 

3/13/24

Preventing High-Risk Exposures in Sterile Processing

By Tony Thurmond, CRCST, CIS, CHL, FCS

 

3/10/24

Safe SP Practices Rely on Staff Doing Right Thing

By Julie E. Williamson

 

03/06/23

Fluid retention in endoscopes: A real-world study on drying effectiveness 

By Cori L. Ofstead, MSPH 

 

02/20/24

The Sterile Processing Department Digital Transformation

Kara Nadeau

02/19/24

The Cost Savings of Managing Your Instrument Trays Like Toyota

By: Casey Czarnowski, BA, CRCST, CSPDT, CIS, CER

 

02/14/24

Common Problems in Reprocessing: A First-hand Perspective to Address Challenges

By Hannah Schroeder, BSHA, CRCST, CIS, CHL, CER, Clinical Education Specialist at Pure Processing

2/13/24

By Susan Klacik, BS, CRCST, CIS, CHL, ACE, FCS
02/07/23

Measuring SPD Productivity Vital to Safety, Quality

By Tony Thurmond, CRCST, CHL, CIS, FCS

 

01/31/24

Navigating AAMI ST91: Enhancing Patient Safety in Endoscope Processing

John Kimsey

 

01/30/24

Here’s What Sterile Processing Professionals Have on their Manufacturer IFU Wish Lists

Kara Nadeau

1/18/24

Do Not Use Synovo Total Hip Resurfacing System: FDA Safety Communication

 

01/03/24

SPDs: Stay Ready for Accreditation Surveys

By Monique L. Jelks, BA, MSOL, CRCST

 

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