Name
#125 From Storage to Point of Care: Improving Reusable Medical Device Stewardship Through an Evidence-Based Bundle
Speakers
Content Presented on Behalf of
Uniformed Services University
Services/Agencies represented
US Army, US Navy, Uniformed Services University (USU)
Session Type
Posters
Room#/Location
Prince Georges Exhibit Hall A/B
Focus Areas/Topics
Trending/Hot Topics or Other not listed
Learning Outcomes
Following this session, the attendees will be able to summarize:
1. Describe the complexities of sterile storage management in healthcare units and recognize common non-compliance issues with regulatory standards, such as those outlined by The Joint Commission (TJC).
2. Summarize the role of perioperative and non-perioperative nurses in ensuring compliance with sterile storage practices, and describe how RMD stewardship contributes to accreditation readiness and patient safety.
3. Utilizing the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Model of Evidence-Based Healthcare framework for iterative audit and feedback cycles to facilitate performance improvement of RMD stewardship.
1. Describe the complexities of sterile storage management in healthcare units and recognize common non-compliance issues with regulatory standards, such as those outlined by The Joint Commission (TJC).
2. Summarize the role of perioperative and non-perioperative nurses in ensuring compliance with sterile storage practices, and describe how RMD stewardship contributes to accreditation readiness and patient safety.
3. Utilizing the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Model of Evidence-Based Healthcare framework for iterative audit and feedback cycles to facilitate performance improvement of RMD stewardship.
Session Currently Live
Description
From Storage to Point of Care: Improving Reusable Medical Device Stewardship Through an Evidence-Based Bundle addresses the significant problem of infections in healthcare settings, which result in high mortality and financial costs. The compliance with infection control standards, specifically those outlined by The Joint Commission (TJC), is essential to minimize these risks. However, maintaining consistent adherence to sterile storage practices for reusable medical devices (RMDs) is a persistent challenge, often ranking among the top areas of non-compliance. RMD storage is a touchpoint for all healthcare professions integrated across various hospital units, but it is also a complex task within the sterility cycle.
The project proposes a solution to improve compliance utilizing an evidence-based audit and feedback (A&F) method. This approach will be applied to clinics in a large metropolitan facility and aims to identify gaps in practices, measure performance, and implement changes to improve adherence to industry standards. The initiative follows a seven-phase implementation plan based on the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for evidence-based healthcare, which includes identifying the problem, engaging staff, assessing readiness for change, and providing continuous audits and feedback.
The discussion highlights that using A&F interventions aligned with consensus standards can significantly improve compliance, driving organizational change and supporting adherence to regulatory guidelines. This is necessary for patient safety, hospital accreditation, and financial compensation from federal programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. The project emphasizes the essential function of all healthcare professionals utilizing RMDs in maintaining sterile storage compliance and advocates for enhancing awareness of these practices among non-perioperative nurses to foster sustainable innovations in healthcare quality.