Page 124 - HA Convention 2015
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Service Priorities and Programmes Free Papers
SPP3.7 Clinical Safety and Quality Service I 14:30 Room 221
Monday, 18 May Barcode Technology in Central Sterile Service Department: Right Instrument at Right Time for Patient Care
Au Yeung SH, Chan SW, Chau KH, Ma OF
Central Sterile Service Department and Theater Sterile Supply Unit, United Christian Hospital, Hong Kong
Introduction
Every year, around 400,000 sterile procedural sets are processed in Central Sterile Service Department (CSSD) and then
returned to wards for patient service. However, distribution of right sets at right time to right wards/units is a big challenge.
Particularly, there has been no tracking of where such high-volume procedural sets are delivered to. Consequently, incorrect
sets have been delivered to wards, which affect patient service and cause users’ frustration. Therefore, bar-code technology
was developed in CSSD to address the problem.
Objectives
Distribution of all sterile procedural sets was logged and their delivery locations were tracked to ensure accuracy.
Methodology
Every sterile procedural set was given a unique serial number and labelled with a QR code. They were scanned by CSSD staff
before distribution to wards. CSSD staff used a handheld terminal to scan the unique QR code on the issue form. Then they
scanned the QR code on each procedural set to ensure that it matched with the issue form. If the set was about to expire or
did not match with the form, an instant warning message would prompt on the screen of the handheld terminal. The scanned
records were stored inside the handheld terminals and uploaded to a computer database for system review and audit.
Results
(1) Increased accuracy of distribution of sterile procedural sets. The location of the sets was tracked. (2) Lean management
of the process: one staff was relieved from the activity of counter checking. The spared manpower was delegated to perform
quality improvement work. (3) Users’ satisfaction: they received correct sets and quantity. (4) Patient safety: correct sets and
quantity were available at right time for patient service.
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