Before the advent of computers, everything was done on paper; there was simply no other choice. Computers were supposed to change that, with their interconnectivity and programs like Microsoft Office that allowed users to write and send documents digitally. However, the opposite proved to be true...
The Digital Revolution, also known as the Third Industrial Revolution, refers to the advancement of technology from analog electronics and mechanical devices to the digital technology available today...
The use of adhesives and stickers on containers and medical devices has become a potential problem. Issues with residue on devices have led to a surge in citations from The Joint Commission for facilities not properly removing adhesive labels and the associated residue...
The beginning of the year means a complete inventory count so we can calculate our various taxes and see what our stock levels are. Our inventory is pretty big, so this is an all-hands operation. Production is completely stopped, employees are grouped into teams, and they go into our shelving to count everything that is there...
Should, can, may, must… Healthcare is an industry that is highly regulated. And there are regulatory requirements that should be met for manufacturers and users, for the benefit of the patient. There are various products and processes available in sterile processing for the same intended purpose, whether it’s for decontamination, sterilization, or for surgical and patient care procedures. Where things get messy is when faced with conflicting messages...
Yesterday we updated our signature block to reflect the beginning of a new decade in the life of Case Medical. Given all the projects we are working on and the upgrades with new equipment on the manufacturing floor, I nearly forgot that this week is our 31st anniversary...
White residue on devices, sticky film on instruments, retained bioburden… Excessive use of chemicals can interfere with the processing of reusable devices. Some pre-treatment gels lock in soil, other cleaning agents are corrosive, and those used in cart washers may be simply too much, especially when drying or sheeting agents leave behind an organic film that can interfere with low temperature sterilization...
Each week we send a blog that has updated information about current issues and concerns relevant to healthcare professionals, specifically SPD, OR and Materials. Often our goal is to reinforce best practices, but today we would like you to reconsider a practice or “Sacred Cow” that can apply to other container systems, but not to our SteriTite containers...
During the past two decades, sterilization containers have replaced wrapped trays and even peel pouches. Containers come in a full range of sizes and configurations that meet the specifications of the devices to be sterilized. When compared to disposable wrap and peel pouches, containers save money, contribute to the bottom line, and provide the ultimate in instrument protection and sterility maintenance, but how long do they last...
Misinformation is information that is spread intentionally or unintentionally, that is false, inaccurate, or misleading according to the best available evidence at the time. Consider the last few years during the pandemic when scientific data was questioned, and all types of remedies were rapidly disseminated on the internet...