Ideas That Work: Safeguard Your Sterile Processing Techs

PERFECT FORM Move wheeled shelves apart so there's enough room to use proper body mechanics when lifting instrument containers.

EASY DOES IT Move 1 instrument cart at a time to avoid accidentally bumping into colleagues.

BACKUP PLAN Pull instrument carts from automated cleaners using 2 hands in order to avoid suffering musculoskeletal injuries.

Safeguard Your Sterile Processing Techs

Taking steps to protect your employees from harm is a sign of respect. They'll recognize your efforts and will work harder — and safer — for you. We recently completed a deep dive into why staff injuries occurred in our sterile processing department and implemented several practices to reduce workplace hazards. The efforts paid off. A year after launching the program, we reduced by 86% the number of days staff missed from work due to on-the-job injuries. The photos above illustrate some of the ways we've eliminated the hazards that put our staff in harm's way.

Ross Simon, BA
Elena G. Canacari, RN, CNOR
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Boston, Mass.
[email protected]
[email protected]