NOVEMBER - 20209Implementing a surgical tray quality improvement process tracking holes in wrappers is a good fit into a hospital's Total Quality Management (TQM) programwaste disposal, linting, cost, and transparency. When wrapping items that are large, heavy, or unusually shaped, it is important to choose the appropriate grade of sterilization wrap to support the weight of the item to be packaged." Most hospitals are using nonwoven wrappers. You should consider an extra measure of protection. Placing large wrapped containers in a hermetically sealed dust cover provides additional protection. A safer, more efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective choice are rigid, reusable sterilization containers. Rigid containers are cost effective because they're reusable, and provide ultimate protection to instruments. You can stack them without worrying about crushing or tearing the packaging. Containers do present other issues. They are costly, may present challenges for drying and must be cleaned after each use. This means washing it completely inside and out after each use. Another consideration is the weight of the tray. AORN and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) recommend that instrument sets and trays prepared for sterilization not exceed 25 pounds. This weight limit includes the combined weight of the pan and the instruments. The American Society for Healthcare Central Service (ASHCSP) and International Association of Healthcare Central Service Material Management (IAHCSMM) both supports having total quality management (TQM) within Central Service Departments. Implementing a surgical tray quality improvement process tracking holes in wrappers is a good fit into a hospital's Total Quality Management (TQM) program. This improvement process can help you track and reach measurable and reachable goals.
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