Device Cleaning, Disinfection, and Sterilization

Properly cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing devices are among the most difficult challenges in the hospital, involving a host of complicated steps that must be followed diligently, according to Scott R. Lucas, PhD, PE, director of accident and forensic investigation, ECRI Institute.

"The process is underappreciated and complicated," says Lucas. "The logistics of having instruments cleaned and sterilized properly starting in the OR operating room through central sterile processing CSP and back, and the expectation of zero contaminants, are extremely systematically challenging."

Failure to follow proper protocol at any point can result in contaminated instruments—and devastating effects for patients. "Patients are often immunocompromised; thus, a contamination that would...