Application of engineering concepts in the sterile processing department

Abstract

This study has been performed in the Sterile Processing Department (SPD) at Women’s Hospital “Professor Doctor José Aristodemo Pinotti in the State University of Campinas. The objective of this study is to evidence the importance of using engineering concepts to manage the processes of Sterile Processing Department. By applying the value stream mapping in the SPD it was possible to identify some problems in the process such as bottlenecks and nonconformities according to the Brazilian current sanitary legislation. Engineering tools were applied to understand how the processes were performed at CAISM. Measurements were collected from specific steps throughout the process to measure the cycle time of each step and then calculating the process lead time, the process cycle efficiency and the percentage of non-value-added time. The PDCA was also applied in order to implement and monitor the changes. Additionally, new methods and culture have been adopted to create a more collaborative, efficient and engaging environment.