Name
#127 - A Clean You Can Trust: Improving Point of Use Compliance for Medical Devices through a Multimodal Approach at a Military Military Treatment Facility
Date & Time
Tuesday, February 13, 2024, 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Description

Background Throughout surgical and invasive procedures, reusable instruments, flexible endoscopes, and endocavity probes become soiled with organic and inorganic materials. When these substances are permitted to dry, a matrix of microbial cells forms on the surface of devices, irreversibly binding and subsequently impeding the disinfection and sterilization process. To prevent biofilm formation from occurring, devices must be continuously wiped and flushed with water throughout the procedure and/or at the end of the case and kept moist during transport. This process, known as point of use treatment, is the critical first step in decontaminating reusable medical devices. Poor compliance with POU can increase patient morbidity and mortality and result in preliminary denial of hospital accreditation. Clinical Purpose This project aimed to assess if an evidence-based performance improvement bundle, compared to current practice, impacts organizational compliance with reusable medical device point of use treatment. Project Design Using the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) framework, nested within Lewin’s Change Model, an interprofessional team was formed. This team developed and implemented an audit assessing 29 evidence-based criteria for POU treatment. Each PDSA cycle supports opportunities addressing feedback, audit continuity, workflow analysis, policy development, competency assessment creation, the development of training modules, and infection prevention grand rounds. Four audits were performed over nine months to achieve improved organizational POU compliance at a large military medical center. Results Implementing recurrent POU audits with feedback and developing an EBP intervention bundle based on recurrent PDSA cycles resulted in a 27% increase in POU treatment compliance (65% to 92%) through 29 system/process improvements across five directorates and 35 units. Clinical practice program-specific improvements include: flexible endoscope (+5%), reusable instrument (+22%), and endocavity probe (+9%). Organizational Impact/Implications for Practice Multi-modal evidence-based initiatives to improve compliance with workflow processes is a translatable POU PI project for similar DHA facilities. Using multidisciplinary teams, workflow processes can be vetted and distributed to ensure viability, sustainability, and conformity with organizational requirements, resulting in a more ready force.

Location Name
Prince Georges Exhibit Hall A/B
Content Presented on Behalf of
Uniformed Services University
Learning Outcomes
Following this session, the attendee will be able to:<br />
1. Translate a cyclical Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) project to impact workflow compliance.<br />
2. State at least two reasons why point of use treatment is important.<br />
3. Describe two methods of keeping medical devices moist prior to transport.<br />
4. Explain the process that occurs when contaminated devices are permitted to dry.
Session Type
Posters