SteriCUBE Saves Significant Time
Keenan: “We save approximately 1.5 hours in processing time by eliminating the need to wrap or individually containerize each tray, plus time saved by eliminating pre-heating instruments in the autoclave, running longer than needed cycles, and cracking the door of the autoclave post sterilization. Sometimes hospitals run full loads of mixed sets of instruments on extended cycles as a precaution and to ensure everything comes out dry. Unfortunately, not only does that hinder throughput but sometimes there are delicate instruments or even power equipment that may become damaged or wear out faster from these extended cycles. Manufacturers’ IFUs are critical for the proper care and maintenance of instruments and devices.”
“Surgical delays waiting for instruments, late start times, and overtime expense are just some of the reasons that saving time in the OR is critical. On top of decreasing the instrument processing time we then save about 10 minutes opening time in the OR. The problem comes in convincing the hospital that the extra 10 minutes saved in the OR is valid. Hospitals tend to respond with, ‘That’s great if this will allow us an extra case per day, but what if you can’t find the surgeon for the on-time start?’ In an ASC [ambulatory surgery center], however, we expect the surgeon will be present, or at least easier to find…and if you can add another orthopedic case per day per room in an ASC, the surgeons will be quite pleased.” Keenan notes that they have a smaller version SteriCUBE for ASCs that was just cleared as well by the FDA.
Less Handling, Less Risk
Too many cooks can spoil the broth and too many touches can spoil the implant. Keenan: “Research has shown that a wrapped container is handled on average 14 times between the time it is removed from the autoclave and when it is opened in the OR, meaning that it is not surprising how many times trays are rejected due to holes or tears. Rigid containers are a great alternative to wraps when it comes to being greener but research has shown that they do not help with throughput, minute for minute there are no time savings associated with their use, and there have been several publications concerning compromised sterile barriers when these containers are not re-validated.”
