"Documentation - You Have Got to Do It"
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Someone once said, "do what you document and document what you do". Truer words were never spoken. There are many processes we document in our daily lives however in healthcare, documentation becomes essential. Today, we live in a litigious society, meaning, people get sued for anything and everything. When it comes to healthcare, lawsuits are almost "assumed" if anything goes wrong, whether it was preventable or not!

Sterile Processing personnel should be following good manufacturing practices; these practices ensure a consistent product each and every time it is produced. Part of the process is documentation. In addition, to track and investigate problems, it is essential to know every individual who took part in the processing of the device, e.g. who cleaned it, who assembled it, who sterilized it and who distributed it. This is similar to the tracer methodology which the Joint Commission (JC) is requiring. With tracer methodology, the JC requires that the facility be able to fully trace a device to the patient.

For example, in the newspaper, you read about a recall on a food product. The company is able to tell the lot number, when the product was made, everyone who had a part in the process, when shipped, where shipped to, etc. This is all part of a quality system.

There are many types of documentation in sterile processing. Some do not relate to the process it self, for example, we must document the time we report to work and when we leave. This is required for payment of wages. Time records can be audited by the Department of Labor, so it is important that these records are maintained properly. Documentation can be required for other reasons such as return from a medial leave (clearance to return), etc.

However, in the processing area, there are many types of documentation needed. Let's look at some of them.

Orientation - One of the most important pieces of documentation is the Orientation Guide form. This form documents the training the employee has received. It is proof that the employee received the training needed to be successful in the job. Usually, each step of the way a return demonstration is requested to make sure the employee has learned the specific task. These forms, once completed, should be retained in the employee's file. The Orientation Guide should also document the facility orientation date, and all safety related training such as the date the employee reviewed the Material Safety Data sheets , safety manual, infection control manual, etc. In addition, a review of the dress code for the department (including personal protective equipment required in the Decontamination Area) should be documented.

Annual Competency - This documentation is required by the Joint Commission (JC). It requires that the facility verify specific competencies for each employee on an annual basis. Usually several key tasks or knowledge areas are selected and employees are questioned or asked to demonstrate the task without error. This annual testing is important because it verifies the competency of employees and may indicate areas of additional training needed.

Continuing Education - With the emphasis on mandatory certification, it is important for employees to keep careful records of their certification. All continuing education towards re-certification should be documented. Make sure you do not leave the Seminar without your certificate and make sure the certificate has been approved by the certifying board. The certificate should state the number of points approved for the program. These certificates usually cannot be replaced especially after a year so keep them in a safe place so you have them for re-certification when needed.

Environmental Documentation - This would include daily documentation of the AAMI recommended temperature and humidity levels in the Decontamination, Prep/Packaging/Sterilization and Sterile Storage areas. All environmental cleaning should be documented as well as sterilizer cleaning.

Maintenance records - All installation documentation, including installation testing, should be documented. All preventive maintenance on sterilization and processing equipment should be documented and records retained for the life of the equipment. Repairs should also be documented.

Decontamination - In the Decontamination area, in addition to the specific training received, all items processed should be documented. This can be accomplished with a surgical instrument tracking system or a manual system. The manual system can be a form that is made up with the date, shift, technician's name and then a list of devices processed. A listing of the number and types of patient care equipment should be documented. This documentation should include any testing performed on equipment.

Prep and Packaging - All sets assembled should be documented on a log by person. In addition, the initials of the preparer or an ID# should be prominently displayed on each package processed, even peel packs. If special testing performed (e.g. verification of the integrity of insulation on laparoscopic instruments) this should be documented. Lubrication of drills should be documented. If sharps are routinely sharpened, have the repair service document the date and keep a record.

Sterilization - the majority of the documentation is in the sterilization area. This area requires the following documentation:

• All items processed should be recorded on a log. Some facilities use a preprinted envelope. The contents of each load should be recorded; the records should include the number of items, a description of the items, and the using department. In addition, the inclusion of a BI test pack should be documented on the log form for all cycles containing BIs. This information should be specific rather than generic - six OR Mayo scissors, not six OR peel packs. Any PCDs included in the load should be documented as well. All information should be written neatly and legibly. The use of whiteout to correct errors is prohibited, because it could suggest that the records were altered. Instead, the operator should draw a line through the incorrect information and initial it.
  
  
• All cycles run, including dynamic air-removal tests and aborted cycles, must be documented.
  
  
• All sheets from dynamic air removal tests should be saved.
  
  
• All BI test results should be carefully documented. This includes the lot control number of the BI vial, the lot control number of the control vial, the time the BI was placed in thenincubator or autoreader, the time it was removed and read, the name of the person(s) incubating or final reading the BI, etc.
  
  
• The sterilizer printouts should be removed (either after each cycle or at the end of the day) and placed inside the preprinted envelope along with any CIs run in the load. To identify the sterilizer and load, a lot control sticker indicating the load number should be affixed to the CI or printout.
  
  
• The printout for each cycle run (regardless of the sterilization method) must be reviewed by the sterilizer operator and signed verifying all parameters were met,
  
  
• Verification of the results of the chemical indicators should be documented on the Sterilization Log.
  

Sterilization Log Form

Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation. Comprehensive Guide to Steam Sterilization and Sterility Assurance in Healthcare Facilities. ST-79. 2006.

Basics of Sterile Processing, First Edition, Sterile Processing University, LLC, 2006.