Table 2.
A SEIPS 101 Tasks Matrix showing the tasks and people involved in the Assembly stage of tray reprocessing in the SPD. IFU: Instructions for Use provided by manufacturer.
| SEIPS Tasks Matrix for a Surgical Instrument Tray (SPD Assembly) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Task | People | Goals of Task | Frequency | How Performed | When Performed |
| Retrieve Trays from Washer | Technician SPD Team |
Free up Decontamination washer for next batch of trays, organize incoming trays | High – Multiple Times Daily | Trays removed from washer cart, placed on designated cart or shelf | As soon as Decon washer cycle completes |
| Determine Tray Priority | Supervisor Technician |
Ensure needs list criteria are met, optimize work of technicians according to case schedule | Check needs list, apply quick turnaround label, place on priority cart. Check for quick turnaround designation or label | Immediately after retrieval, before starting assembly | |
| Assign Tray to Technician | Supervisor Shift Lead |
Optimize/prioritize staff workload | Place on technician’s cart and/or bring to workstation | ASAP after priority determined | |
| Scan Tray to Workstation | Technician | Track tray movement, verify tray contents | Bar code scanner for workstation computer | When assembly begins | |
| Remove Instruments | Technician | Prepare instruments for inspection | Instruments organized at workstation outside tray | After tray is scanned | |
| Inspect for Bioburden | Technician | Ensure bioburden is not present on instruments or trays before sterilization | Instruments and tray opened, examined with magnifier, blown out with air compressor. Possibly returned to Decontamination | During instrument inspection | |
| Inspect Functionality | Technician | Ensure all instruments are functioning correctly | Follow inspection protocol specified by computer database, management and/or staff knowledge, skills, and abilities | During instrument inspection | |
| Verify Tray is Complete | Technician Supervisor |
Ensure all required instruments are present | Tray recipe in computer database and/or pick sheet, signed by supervisor once verified | During instrument inspection | |
| Note Tray Discrepancies | Technician | Ensure any extra, missing or broken instruments accounted for on count sheet and tray label before it is sent to the OR | Set aside extra instruments for storage, broken instruments for repair, and replace missing instruments. Note on count sheet if tray is sent with missing instruments and/or substitutions | During instrument inspection | |
| Communicate Discrepancies | Supervisor Coordinator |
Verify whether tray can still be used for procedure if missing or substituting an instrument | Call OR coordinator or other individual to check whether procedure can still proceed | During instrument inspection or before closing and locking box | |
| Instrument Lookup | Supervisor Technician |
Identify instruments by name and appearance, identify potential substitutions | Look up instrument with software, use database and IFUs | During instrument inspection | |
| Find Instruments | Supervisor Technician Coordinator |
Physically find replacement instruments for those which are missing or broken | Search storage area (wall pegboard, rotomat or other trays) for replacement instruments | During instrument inspection | |
| Return Instruments to Tray | Technician | Ensure tray contains all required instruments | Placed in tray one at a time using software list and/or pick sheet | During instrument inspection | |
| Roll Up Instruments | Technician | Prevent damage to sensitive instruments during storage/transit | Rolled together in approved peel pouch and placed in tray | During instrument inspection | |
| Place Count Sheet in Tray | Technician | Ensure OR team receives a count sheet with the tray | Printed from workstation computer, folded and placed in waterproof envelope, placed in tray | After instrument inspection | |
| Sanitize Tray Container | Technician | Ensure no bioburden or foreign objects/debris present | Visual inspection, air compressor, alcohol wipe per IFU | Before tray is placed in container | |
| Add Integrators | Technician | Ensure tray is sterilized correctly | 2 chemical integrators placed in opposite corners of tray | Before tray is placed in container | |
| Place Tray in Container | Technician | Ensure tray is protected during rest of process | Lift tray by handles, place in lower half of container | After sanitizing container | |
| Install Filters | Technician | Prevent contamination, condensation after sterilization | New packaged filters placed in retention plates and clicked in | After sanitizing container | |
| Close, Lock and Tag Tray | Technician | Prevent tampering, facilitate re-use if not used for case | Chemical indicator lock placed on container, labels printed from computer and looped around container handles | After tray is placed in container | |
| Add Corner Protectors | Technician | Reduce likelihood of tray wrap holes | Blow out protectors with air compressor, place on tray | Before wrapping tray | |
| Wrap Tray | Technician | Prepare tray for sterilization step, ensure sterility | Wrap tray completely, tape wrap to hold it in place and place barcode label on wrap. Tape cannot overlap | Before sending to Sterilization | |
| Add Protective Belts | Technician | Reduce likelihood of tray wrap holes | Wrap soft protective belts around outside tray wrap | Immediately after wrapping | |
| Send to Sterilization | Technician | Complete Assembly process, assemble next tray | Container placed on sterilization cart | After assembly is completed | |
| Add Tip Protectors | Technician | Guard against sharps injuries | Add to certain sharp instruments upon request | During assembly | |