In 2020, Case Medical faced shortages of raw materials, canisters to package our infection prevention products, and even disposable wipe materials. We learned that we needed options, alternative sources of supply, and even new equipment. We decided to invest in a wet wipe machine and filter cutting equipment so we could better meet needs within the healthcare industry....

The federal government has penalized 774 hospitals for having the highest rates of patient infections or other potentially avoidable medical complications. The patient safety penalties cost hospitals 1 percent of Medicare payments over the federal fiscal year (Oct to Sept)...

No Trees Were Harmed Making our SteriTite® Containers

What we learned during the pandemic

As a manufacturer of reusable devices, we learned that real-time information, about process and product, is critical for operations. Recently we developed a digital asset management and maintenance software program that has increased efficiencies, held staff accountable, and provided reports for managing our operations. This process was accelerated during the pandemic when we realized that critical supplies may not be readily accessible and the need for specific items required analysis for proper planning and production.

Going paperless has numerous advantages, aside from saving trees.

Paperless systems ensure every person involved in a process has up-to-date information. Management has a better sense of process flow. Similarly, important to the smooth functioning of central sterile is infection prevention.

Make no mistake, paper is wonderful stuff, it lasts a long time, centuries or longer, it’s easy to use, doesn’t require special equipment outside of a pencil or pen, can’t be hacked, and recycles easily. However, it is also heavy, takes up lots of storage space, and is flammable.

In 2020, we learned that paper is also a vector for disease transmission. It can get soiled when handling and lost unless it is in a binder or, better yet, digitized. Healthcare is progressing at a fast-moving pace that places a premium on getting work done, faster, cheaper, and having information immediately available. Further, usage reports of critical items, are especially important during a pandemic when supply chains are interrupted.

CaseTrak360® is our product for helping

healthcare operations go paperless.

CaseTrak360® was developed with the help of our clinical specialists and our experience of process management in our manufacturing facility. Interesting fact: Case Medical uses a system programmed by our own developers to track and manage the status of product manufacturing from raw materials and component parts all the way to finished SteriTite® containers, Instrument Chemistries, and Case Carts.

Adopting a paperless system in the SPD offers so many advantages:

• Search in real-time for set locations, schedule updates, and information.

• Keep count sheets and surgeon preference cards up to date and available to better meet OR requirements.

• Real-time reports to manage inventory and keep ahead of the demand curve.

• Access instructions to avoid errors when processing complex devices.

• Direct links to manufacturer’s validated reprocessing instructions.

• Reports which track and trace instrument trays to patient care procedures for infection prevention, efficiencies, and productivity.

Let’s not lose sight of our suggestions about shortages:

Moving to a paperless system can give insights into supply usage and allow for informed decisions when considering: “Another strategy for avoiding a shortage … is planned buying. When a vendor knows they can count on a particular customer to make regular purchases of certain items it creates a situation that is beneficial for all. The buyer is a preferred customer at the top of the list when it comes to getting their purchases, and the vendor can plan into the future knowing that the demand is there.”

Join us on June 3, 2021, for our latest educational presentation

Using Digital Systems for a Paperless SPD

So yes, we can all feel good that “No trees were harmed…”, but there are so many other benefits to making the move to a paperless management system. Consider online shopping during the pandemic. Telemedicine to avoid lengthy trips for routine medical visits. And the use of asset management software that is truly paperless.

Please contact us for a CaseTrak360® demo and remember to register for our next online educational program, Paperless SPD.

Water softeners work through a process called ion exchange, a typical water-softening system removes calcium and magnesium ions from hard water and replaces them with sodium ions. Filtration solely removes and does not add anything to the water...