Table 3.

A SEIPS 101 Tasks Matrix showing the tasks and people involved in the use of surgical instruments in the OR.

SEIPS Tasks Matrix for a Surgical Instrument Tray (OR)
Task	People	Goals of Task	Frequency	How Performed	When Performed
Receive/Scan Case Carts	Circulating Nurse Scrub Tech OR Liaison	Obtain case carts with trays needed for case, prepare for case, track cart movement	High - Multiple Times Daily	Move carts to OR or OR Storage area for later retrieval, scan carts with barcode scanner at nurse workstation in OR	When case carts are received
Scan Trays to OR	Circulating Nurse Scrub Tech	Track tray movement, verify tray arrival, update needs list for SPD		Use barcode scanner at nurse workstation in OR	Before or during procedure
Verify Tray and Tray Wrap Integrity	Scrub Tech Circulating Nurse	Ensure tray/instrument sterility		Check if lock is intact, check tray wrap for holes, check that sterile indicators are present and changed color	Before or during procedure
Verify Tray Contents	Scrub Tech Circulating Nurse	Ensure correct instrumentation is present		Check count sheet in tray, ensure sheet matches tray contents, ensure chemical integrators changed color	Before or during procedure
Set Up Sterile Field	Scrub Tech Scrub Nurse	Set up and drape table, prepare and organize instruments for procedure		Varies by procedure, team and specialty	Before procedure
Perform Instrument Count 1	Scrub Tech Circulating Nurse Scrub Nurse	Ensure all instruments are accounted for		Varies by procedure, team and specialty	Before procedure, during/after closing, before returning to SPD
Perform Time-Out	Surgical Team	Plan for procedure, verify who is present		Verify patient identity, surgical plan, and surgical team	Immediately before procedure
Perform Surgical Procedure	Surgical Team	Complete procedure safely and effectively		Varies by procedure, team and specialty	When patient and team are ready
Perform Intraoperative/Continual Point of Use	Scrub Tech Scrub Nurse	Prevent bioburden buildup, facilitate cleaning, keep track of instruments used, ensure patient safety		Separate dirty/clean instruments, soak used instruments	Immediately after use and continuously during surgery
Perform Instrument Count 2	Scrub Tech Circulating Nurse Scrub Nurse	Ensure all instruments are accounted for, ensure patient safety		Varies by procedure, team and specialty	Immediately after use/after surgery
Tear Down Sterile Field	Scrub Tech Circulating Nurse	Turn over OR, prepare for next case		Varies by procedure, team and specialty	Immediately after surgery
Return Instruments to Trays	Scrub Tech Scrub Nurse	Organize instruments to send to SPD		Return instruments to trays as count is performed, tag broken/rapid turnover instruments	Immediately after use and during count
String Instruments (If Applicable)	Scrub Tech Scrub Nurse	Prevent bioburden buildup, facilitate cleaning		Instruments with open handles placed on stringer in open position, stringer closed	Immediately after surgery
Spray Instruments	Scrub Tech Circulating Nurse	Prevent bioburden buildup, facilitate cleaning		Instruments sprayed with enzymatic spray bottle	Immediately after surgery
Return Trays to Containers	Scrub Tech Circulating Nurse	Facilitate safe return of trays to SPD		Trays placed back in original cases using visual labels	Immediately after surgery, after count
Place Trays in Designated Carts	Scrub Tech Circulating Nurse	Determine use of cart(s) and/or request more. Facilitate return of trays to SPD or Storage, reduce system strain		Used trays placed in designated Decontamination cart, unused trays placed in designated Return to Storage cart	When cart use is determined, instruments are returned to trays, and all trays are accounted for
Scan Tray Destinations	Scrub Tech Circulating Nurse	Establish destinations, track tray location		Scan unused Barcode scanner at nurse workstation in OR	As soon as cart use is determined
Send Carts to Destinations	Scrub Tech OR Liaison	Return cart and trays to Decontamination or to Sterile storage (SPD or OR)		Cart sent down hallway and/or elevator to Decontamination or Sterile Storage (SPD or OR)	Immediately after scanning trays
Request Additional Trays	Circulating Nurse Coordinator OR Liaison	Satisfy real-time needs of the case		Call to request additional trays from OR or SPD storage	When current or upcoming needs are identified