You likely were taught the phrase “Stop, drop, and roll” as a child. From a young age, teachers and firefighters educated us on the importance of taking care of ourselves if our bodies’ caught on fire. Just like there is an established plan of action...
Outpatient surgeries are prevalent in the healthcare field. Medical professionals at outpatient centers, or ambulatory centers, perform a variety of ambulatory surgical procedures. The benefits of ambulatory settings are ample; they’re affordable, offer accessible scheduling, and allow patients to recover in the comfort of their...
Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) have made convenient surgery possible in the United States. These centers are popular, with ASC healthcare staff members treating numerous patients per day. Efficiency is the name of the game in ASCs so that providers can better maximize case volume and...
The number of outpatient surgical procedures in the U.S. is expected to climb to 144 million per year by 2023. Additionally, more than 48 million inpatient surgical procedures are performed in hospitals annually. The tremendous growth in surgical cases leaves room for infections if hospitals...
When undergoing a hospital renovation or construction project, it’s crucial to consider infection control when making design decisions. Poor design can lead to higher infection rates, accreditation survey citations, and decreased hospital efficiency. You’ll want to hire an infection control consultant who can offer expert...
Medicine and medical processes have come a long way throughout history. It has been 3,000 years since Egyptians began preserving their dead using antiseptic materials they had readily available. Since then, our medical processes have progressed from leeches and crude saws to anesthesia and antibiotics....
Each year in the United States, medical professionals perform endless inpatient, outpatient, surgical, and non-surgical medical procedures. In fact, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Health Statistic Report estimates that as many as 50 million people undergo medical procedures in hospitals...
Surgeons are typically the shining, crown jewel of their chosen hospital or surgical center. However, surgeons would have little to no success if not for the support from the sterile processing department (SPD) in their medical facilities. Surgery is scary, and the chances of infection...
Sterile processing departments are an essential part of keeping patients safe in healthcare settings. Technicians are responsible for taking precautions that prevent infections in patients. They sort contaminated instruments, decontaminate, and sterilize instruments for future use. Some sterile processing departments also disinfect shared patient care...