Six Sigma Methodology applied to Immediate Use Sterilization at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital

Authors

Beth-Ann Schauer, MBA, PMP, SSGB, Thomas Jefferson University HospitalsFollow
Lori Szymonowicz, CPAM, SSGB, Thomas Jefferson University HospitalsFollow
Precil Varghese, PharmD, Thomas Jefferson University HospitalsFollow

Abstract

Immediate use sterilization, also known as flash sterilization, is an expedited sterilization process used for surgical equipment needed in emergent clinical situations. Immediate use sterilization is a procedure used by Operating Room staff members to sterilize instrumentation on an as needed or just in time basis when instruments needed for a particular case are not immediately available or become contaminated in the course of the case. If instrumentation is not sterilized appropriately, the patient’s safety is possibly put at risk from the potential of surgical site infections. No specific literature data directly correlates immediate use sterilization with surgical site infection. However, eliminating this variable enables infection control to focus prevention efforts elsewhere.

Recommended Citation

Schauer, MBA, PMP, SSGB, Beth-Ann; Szymonowicz, CPAM, SSGB, Lori; and Varghese, PharmD, Precil (2013) "Six Sigma Methodology applied to Immediate Use Sterilization at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital," Collaborative Healthcare: Interprofessional Practice, Education and Evaluation (JCIPE): Vol. 4: Iss. 1, Article 1.
Available at: https://jdc.jefferson.edu/jcipe/vol4/iss1/1