Business process re-engineering of surgical instruments sterilization process: A case study

Abstract

This work aims at developing a new procedure, based on RFID technology, in order to reduce clinical risk and to streamline surgical instruments sterilization processes. An automatic identification and data storage will allow the hospital to minimize problems connected with bacterial infection, loss of surgical instruments and waste of time due to instruments counting and tracking. This procedure was developed at an Italian hospital of medium size, with particular attention to the processes that are carried out in Sterile Surgical Unit (SSU), in operating theatre and in the business units. The sterilization process of surgical instruments has been analysed as it was always implemented up until the year 2013, identifying any related problems. The process has been then reengineered in order to assess the changes involved and pinpointing further opportunities for improvement. Processes were modelled using the AIØ WIN software, which supports the IDEF0 method. The activities, related to different management options, have been analysed and compared in terms of costs and savings.

Keywords

RFID IDEF0 method surgical instruments traceability hospital

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