Stephen Lennon PCQI’s Post

How Your Sterile Processing Department Directly Impacts Surgeon Satisfaction Most #surgeons have a choice of where they practice. That’s why most choose to work in hospitals where they have confidence that the surgical instruments are being managed and processed safely and efficiently.  They closely monitor hospital SSI (Surgical Site Infection) rates. They know that if a surgical site infection should occur, they are likely the ones held responsible. High infection rates can destroy a surgeon’s (and hospital’s) reputation, even though it’s not always within their control. Hospitals with high infection rates have trouble attracting top surgeons, thus reducing the number of #surgeries that can be performed per year. Fewer surgeries negatively impact hospital revenue. Hospital revenue (or lack thereof) can directly impact your compensation package.  A Sterile Processing Department with a good track record can have a direct impact on the recruitment and retention of top surgeons. Most hospitals measure and track #OperatingRoom turnover times. Most surgeons have extremely busy schedules including surgery, hospital rounding, committees, office procedures, and visits, & family/ community obligations.  Surgical delays, especially as a result of instrumentation issues, have a significant negative impact on surgeon satisfaction. Hospitals routinely monitor Surgeon Satisfaction via a survey process as a recruitment strategy if they and/or identify issues before they result in a surgeon's departure.  Many of the questions asked on the survey are instrumentation and turnover time related and are directly impacted by the Sterile Processing Department. So…the next time you see a happy surgeon in the halls of your facility, you should feel a sense of pride, knowing you contributed to his/her satisfaction.

Preparing for surgery involves more than just the day-of logistics. Here's a comprehensive pre-operative checklist to guide patients through a smooth and successful surgical experience.   General Guidelines 👩🏾⚕️ Provide a complete health history as certain diseases may lead to complications or infection risks. 👩🏾⚕️ Discuss your medication history, fears and concerns, prior experience with anaesthesia (if any) as well as the recovery plan of action with your surgical team beforehand.  👩🏾⚕️ Notify your surgeon if you develop any illnesses before the procedure.   Medications & Supplements 💊 Discuss with your physician with respect to the medication/s and follow his/her advice before the surgery.   Infection Prevention 🚿 Follow your surgeon's specific showering instructions. 🧼 Wash your hands with soap or use hand sanitiser frequently. Ensure others around you maintain hand hygiene as well. 🪒 Avoid shaving near the surgical site for three days before surgery. On the morning of surgery, do not shave below the chin.   Care of Surgical Site ✅ Understand why antibiotics are prescribed post-surgery. ✅ Learn wound care procedures for home. ❌ Instruct visitors not to touch the surgical wound.   Day Before Surgery ✅ Drink plenty of fluids unless you’re specifically instructed to restrict fluids. ✅ Shower the night before and the morning of surgery. ✅ Perform thorough oral hygiene. ❌ Avoid alcoholic beverages and smoking 24 hours before surgery. ❌ Remove all jewellery, makeup and body piercings.   Day of Surgery ✅ Brush your teeth without swallowing water. ✅ Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes. ✅ Carry your essentials in an overnight bag.  ✅ Arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home if you're going home the same day. ✅ Bring assistive devices such as glasses and hearing aids with you. ❌ Avoid eating or drinking after midnight, unless advised otherwise.    Ensuring adherence to this checklist will contribute to a more positive surgical experience and promote a smoother recovery.    #Healthium #HealthiumMedtech #HealthiumMedtechLtd #Medtech #MedicalDevice #MedicalDevices #StayHealthium #HealthAdvisory #HealthAwareness #SurgeryPrep #HealthcareJourney #PatientCare #Checklist #SurgeryChecklist #PreOpCare #Precautions #SurgicalPreparation #HealthcareTips #SurgeryGuidelines

📜A tracheotomy is a medical procedure that involves creating an opening through the neck into the trachea (windpipe). The purpose is to provide an airway and to remove secretions from the lungs. 🙌Here's a general overview of how the procedure is typically performed: 1) Preparation: The patient is usually given general anesthesia, although in emergency situations, local anesthesia may be used. The area around the neck is cleaned and sterilized. 2) Incision: A horizontal incision is made on the lower part of the neck, typically below the Adam's apple and between the second and third tracheal rings. 3) Creating the opening: The surgeon carefully separates the tissues and muscles of the neck to expose the trachea. A small portion of the tracheal ring is cut to create an opening. 4) Inserting the tube : A tracheostomy tube is then inserted through this opening into the trachea to keep it open. This tube allows the patient to breathe without using their nose or mouth. 5) Securing the tube: The tube is secured in place with straps around the neck, and the initial incision is closed around the tube with sutures, leaving enough space for airflow. 6) Aftercare : Post-operative care involves regular cleaning of the tube and the surrounding area to prevent infection. The #healthcare team also monitors the patient for any complications such as bleeding, infection, or issues with the tube. ➡️💡#Tracheotomy can be a temporary or permanent solution depending on the underlying reason for the procedure. It is often performed in cases where long-term ventilation is needed, or when the airway is blocked due to an injury, tumor, or swelling. References: hopkinsmedicine & NCBI Video credit: medicalworld161

📜A tracheotomy is a medical procedure that involves creating an opening through the neck into the trachea (windpipe). The purpose is to provide an airway and to remove secretions from the lungs. 🙌Here's a general overview of how the procedure is typically performed: 1) Preparation: The patient is usually given general anesthesia, although in emergency situations, local anesthesia may be used. The area around the neck is cleaned and sterilized. 2) Incision: A horizontal incision is made on the lower part of the neck, typically below the Adam's apple and between the second and third tracheal rings. 3) Creating the opening: The surgeon carefully separates the tissues and muscles of the neck to expose the trachea. A small portion of the tracheal ring is cut to create an opening. 4) Inserting the tube : A tracheostomy tube is then inserted through this opening into the trachea to keep it open. This tube allows the patient to breathe without using their nose or mouth. 5) Securing the tube: The tube is secured in place with straps around the neck, and the initial incision is closed around the tube with sutures, leaving enough space for airflow. 6) Aftercare : Post-operative care involves regular cleaning of the tube and the surrounding area to prevent infection. The #healthcare team also monitors the patient for any complications such as bleeding, infection, or issues with the tube. ➡️💡#Tracheotomy can be a temporary or permanent solution depending on the underlying reason for the procedure. It is often performed in cases where long-term ventilation is needed, or when the airway is blocked due to an injury, tumor, or swelling. References: hopkinsmedicine & NCBI Video credit: medicalworld161

A tracheotomy is a medical procedure that involves creating an opening through the neck into the trachea (windpipe). The purpose is to provide an airway and to remove secretions from the lungs. 🙌Here's a general overview of how the procedure is typically performed: 1) Preparation: The patient is usually given general anesthesia, although in emergency situations, local anesthesia may be used. The area around the neck is cleaned and sterilized. 2) Incision: A vertical incision is made on the lower part of the neck, typically below the Adam's apple and between the second and third tracheal rings. 3) Creating the opening: The surgeon carefully separates the tissues and muscles of the neck to expose the trachea. A small portion of the tracheal ring is cut to create an opening. 4) Inserting the tube : A tracheostomy tube is then inserted through this opening into the trachea to keep it open. This tube allows the patient to breathe without using their nose or mouth. 5) Securing the tube: The tube is secured in place with straps around the neck, and the initial incision is closed around the tube with sutures, leaving enough space for airflow. 6) Aftercare : Post-operative care involves regular cleaning of the tube and the surrounding area to prevent infection. The #healthcare team also monitors the patient for any complications such as bleeding, infection, or issues with the tube. ➡️💡#Tracheotomy can be a temporary or permanent solution depending on the underlying reason for the procedure. It is often performed in cases where long-term ventilation is needed, or when the airway is blocked due to an injury, tumor, or swelling. References: hopkinsmedicine & NCBI Video credit: medicalworld161

Shanti Pharmaceuticals underscores the importance of tracheotomy as a vital medical procedure, providing an essential airway and facilitating lung secretion removal. This procedure, performed under anesthesia, involves precise steps to ensure patient safety and effective breathing support. We are thankful for the #DrToluOnibokun for sharing this valuable information #ShantiPharmaceuticals #Tracheotomy #MedicalProcedure #PatientCare

📜A tracheotomy is a medical procedure that involves creating an opening through the neck into the trachea (windpipe). The purpose is to provide an airway and to remove secretions from the lungs. 🙌Here's a general overview of how the procedure is typically performed: 1) Preparation: The patient is usually given general anesthesia, although in emergency situations, local anesthesia may be used. The area around the neck is cleaned and sterilized. 2) Incision: A vertical incision is made on the lower part of the neck, typically below the Adam's apple and between the second and third tracheal rings. 3) Creating the opening: The surgeon carefully separates the tissues and muscles of the neck to expose the trachea. A small portion of the tracheal ring is cut to create an opening. 4) Inserting the tube : A tracheostomy tube is then inserted through this opening into the trachea to keep it open. This tube allows the patient to breathe without using their nose or mouth. 5) Securing the tube: The tube is secured in place with straps around the neck, and the initial incision is closed around the tube with sutures, leaving enough space for airflow. 6) Aftercare : Post-operative care involves regular cleaning of the tube and the surrounding area to prevent infection. The #healthcare team also monitors the patient for any complications such as bleeding, infection, or issues with the tube. ➡️💡#Tracheotomy can be a temporary or permanent solution depending on the underlying reason for the procedure. It is often performed in cases where long-term ventilation is needed, or when the airway is blocked due to an injury, tumor, or swelling. References: hopkinsmedicine & NCBI Video credit: medicalworld161

Proper tube positioning and secure fastening with straps are essential to prevent accidental displacement and ensure a leak-proof seal for optimal ventilation.

A tracheotomy is indeed a critical medical procedure used to establish an alternative airway in patients who are unable to breathe normally through their mouth and nose. Here are the key aspects and purposes of a tracheotomy: Procedure Overview: Creation of an Opening: A tracheotomy involves making a surgical incision in the front of the neck, usually just below the Adam's apple (thyroid cartilage), to access the trachea (windpipe) directly. Insertion of a Tube: Once the trachea is accessed, a tube (tracheostomy tube) is inserted through the incision and into the trachea. This tube serves as an artificial airway, allowing air to flow directly into the lungs. Securing the Tube: The tracheostomy tube is then secured in place with ties or a strap around the patient's neck to prevent it from being dislodged. Purposes of Tracheotomy: Emergency Airway: It is often performed in emergency situations where a patient's upper airway is obstructed due to trauma, swelling, tumors, or severe infections. Long-term Ventilation: In cases of prolonged mechanical ventilation, a tracheotomy may be performed to facilitate easier and safer connection to a ventilator.Dr Tolu Onibokun