Quality Improvement in Central Sterile Supply Department: Educational Interventions

Abstract

Central sterile supply department (CSSD) is in charge of the supply of sterile medical instruments for all departments, which is a key department of preventing hospital-associated infection. It is important to assess the work quality of CSSD personnel to ensure implementation of accurate and appropriate sterilization technique. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of the educational interventions regarding sterilization process on quality of work delivered at the central sterile supply department. A quasi-experimental research design was utilized to meet the aim of this study. This study was conducted in the central sterile supply department in El-demerdash Hospital, affiliated to Ain Shams University hospital. A convenience sample includes all available staff (30) in the CSSD, plus 12 nursing supervisors were included in the study. Data were collected through 6 tools: (1) A self-administered nurses/technicians' knowledge assessment questionnaire. (2) Nurses' practices observational checklist. (3) Technicians’ practices observational checklist. (4) A selfadministered workers’ awareness assessment questionnaire. (5) Workers’ practices observational checklist. (6) Structured nursing supervisors’ opinionnaire. It was concluded that implementation of the educational interventions has positive effect on improving the knowledge and practice of the CSSD staff, as well as improving the satisfaction of nursing supervisors regarding the quality of work delivered by the CSSD. It is recommended to conduct periodic educational interventions for CSSD staff to improve and keep them with updated knowledge and practices regarding to medical and surgical equipment sterilization