Quality Control in MDRD!
October 02, 2023
The goal of our Medical Devices Reprocessing Department is to ensure all patients are provided with properly maintained, sterile equipment any and every time they require care involving re-usable medical devices.
Let's take a look at some of the quality control indicators performed by the MDRD team!
Censitrac - Instrument Tracking
A tray is chosen at random, opened and completely checked over to ensure all instrumentation is present, chemical indicators were included and each instrument was free of debris and in good working condition for the end-user and patient. All of this information is then recorded into the Censitrac program for the MDRD Supervisor to follow up on and monitor trends.
Steam Sterilizers
All steam sterilizers are tested multiple times throughout the day to ensure they are functioning correctly. This is performed with pre-packaged test kits containing a live spore called Geobacillus Stearothermophilus. After the sterilization cycle, the vial containing the spore is incubated and staff look to ensure the test is negative. All tests are recorded manually and staff are required to sign off. Testing records are kept for a minimum of three years.
Jenn is checking the steam sterilizer printout to ensure that it has met the cycle parameters. MDRD team members ensure it has reached PSI of 30 or more, temperature is above 270°F and time is four minutes or more. They initial this printout prior to removing sterilized contents.
Washer Disinfectors
Washer disinfectors are also tested daily to ensure efficacy of temperature, time and detergent dilution. This is performed using a washer indicator test that is composed of synthetic, blood-free soil. A test is placed in each washer and undergoes a washer cycle. It is expected that the cycle will wash off all of the synthetic test soil. Tests are recorded and also kept a minimum of three years.
Insulated Laparoscopic Equipment
All insulated laparoscopic equipment is tested using a continuity tester to ensure there are no cracks, chips or other damages to the insulation layer. This prevents potential burn injury to surgeon or patient.
Testing a laparoscopic wavy grasper used in laparoscopic appendectomies or cholecystectomy procedures