IAHCSMM 2009 Annual Meeting: Online Report

Pre-Registration

A large turnout of people preregistered on Saturday morning... it was a beautiful Florida morning, 84 degrees and sunny! Approximately 640 attendees have pre-registered for the conference!

Hands-On-Labs

Pre-conference Hands-on Labs

Attendees began gathering in the conference center early Saturday morning (some arrived as early as a couple hours before the 9AM start time) – eagerly awaiting IAHCSMM's pre-conference hands-on labs. With the interactive sessions covering some of the most prevalent problems facing Central Service professionals today, their enthusiasm was understandable.

“We're very excited about these labs because they provide a different level of learning,” said IAHCSMM educational director Natalie Lind. “What makes them so unique and valuable is that they are truly interactive and presented in intimate settings. Not only are attendees able to learn from the expert presenters, they're able to learn from one another.” Another key advantage? The labs, most of which were repeated four times to accommodate the large number of attendees who registered for the pre-conference sessions, are offered at no additional cost.
What follows is a brief snapshot of the hands-on labs. Look for more detailed educational coverage as the meeting progresses.

The lab on decontamination of robotic instrumentation, sponsored by Medisafe, gave an up close and personal look at best practices for manual decontamination of robotic instrumentation, and identified proper processing of specialty and laparoscopic instrumentation. Patti Koncur and Nola Bayes offered their expertise and insights to attendees who donned PPE and gathered around tables to practice flushing and irrigating these challenging devices. The session garnered a number of take-home tips from Koncur and Bayes. Among them: ultrasonic washers can be a lifesaver in decontam (while manual cleaning will still be required, it can make the job much simpler); be diligent about requesting processing instructions and other processing-related tools from manufacturers; be proactive and avoid the error of complacency; ensure that the irrigation hoses are clear and unkinked (and be sure they're properly clipped into the basket – you should hear the “click”); use the decontam process as an opportunity to inspect instruments and identify problems (such as bent, worn or broken components, poor range of motion, etc.); and rotate jobs in decontam to alleviate strain and provide much-needed relief from tiring tasks, such as flushing)
Above all, Bayes stressed the importance of creating a culture of doing what's right – no matter what. “Don't forget -- you all are the most important part of what keeps patients safe and infection-free,” she noted. “What you do is extremely important.”

Some CS technicians may not be familiar with TASS – toxic anterior segment syndrome – but it's a major complication that must be understood – particularly how it can be prevented through proper care and handling of ophthalmic instrumentation. The lab Ophthalmic instrument handling and TASS, sponsored and presented by Cardinal Health, outlined the basics of TASS, which is a non-contagious inflammatory condition caused by foreign particles (bioburden, or non-pathogenic material, such as residual chemicals) that become introduced into the cornea (frequently during cataract surgery). Attendees identified proper cleaning and handling protocols (as outlined by the the TASS Taskforce), as well as proper inspection techniques that can help prevent TASS (delicate ophthalmic instruments were on hand for attendees to gently view and handle).

Attendees at the Aesculap lab, Care and Handling of Neuro Instruments, learned of key factors in the cleaning of neurosurgical instruments, along with two methods of proper care and handling of these specialty devices. Testing and inspection steps were also identified for specific neurosurgical instruments.

Spectrum Surgical's Rick Schultz led a spirited lab on Surgical Inspection, Testing and Utilization. He identified common errors and offered easy-to-apply tips for proactively pinpointing device issues.

“You have to take the instruments for a walk. If it feels 'off' to you then it belongs in the repair box,” he noted, adding that CS professionals are the experts and generally know – both by feel or sight – when an instrument is in need of repair. “You are the judge and the jury when it comes to deciding if an instrument is bad.”
Some of Schultz's many take-home messages: scissors, regardless of manufacturer, will become dull. Likewise, every needle holder will become worn; “torquing” scissor blades to get them to cut will lead to cracks; don't bother trying to tighten the screw on scissors – it's a professional job; scissors nibble, undermine and dissect, so they must be sharp at the tip; only test scissors right-handed; inspect needle holder box lock for cracks, blood and stains; gold-handled needle holders have a working portion made of tungsten carbide and are well worth the price because they can be rejawed every 2 ½ to 3 years (as opposed to having to replace the entire device); never store devices under tension (it will fatigue the instrument prematurely); and don't underestimate the value of having good magnifying glasses at each station.

He also stressed the important of taking a slow, yet deliberate approach to instrument maintenance. Rather than going back to the CS department and testing the sharpness of each scissor in every set at once, for example, he recommends picking a day or two to put testing materials out and then testing the devices as they come through. “Remember, it can take years to get into a hole, so take your time getting out. You can still have a big impact without [becoming overwhelmed] by doing it all at once.”

Attendees at the Healthmark and Olympus lab Is Your Endoscope Really Clean? Gathered around workstations stocked with flexible scopes to identify common models and instrument features, become familiar with the anatomy of a flexible scope, follow steps for pre-cleaning at the bedside, and properly clean soiled flexible scopes using a variety of manual and automated cleaning tools. Healthmark and Olympus experts were also on hand to demonstrate use of validated quality assurance tests for residual soils, and explain how current literatures support the implementation of a QA monitoring program from cleaning and disinfecting flexible scopes.

The IMS-sponsored lab The Cause, Effect and Prevention of Powered Surgical Instrument Failures provided attendees with the information they needed to identify common handling mistakes that lead to PSI repairs – a critically important topic given the complexities – and disparities – of different devices. Through the availability of instruments, participants learned firsthand about proper care and handling of powered surgical instruments and their critical roles in the quality assurance inspection process.

The lab hosted by IAHCSMM's Professional Development Resource Council afforded a unique and insightful opportunity for five different teams to creatively “design” their ideal CS department – taking into consideration the functions to be performed, space requirement and budget. Following the collaborative exercise, the groups then compared designs and selected the one that best met the requirements and the needs of today's department.

What is fun-inspired learning? The answer? 3M Health Care's entertaining, game show-inspired lab, Jeopardy Test Your Knowledge. Participants, who worked in teams, competed against one another as they tested their knowledge about correct use of monitoring tools, how to routinely release loads with and without implants, and properly perform routine sterilizer efficacy testing and sterilizer qualification.

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IAHCSMM 2009 Annual Meeting: Online Report

Pre-Registration

Hands-On-Labs

Saturday