r/sterileprocessing

I work in sterile services in the UK. And I need a sanity check because there are so many issues but everyone at my site acts like everything is normal, but my gut says it is dangerous.

Just some of issues:

The flooring in the inspection and assembly area is severely damaged sections, some sections are quite large. There’s spots where it’s completely worn through and lifting upward you can see the subfloor underneath. There are some parts with wet floor sign over it to stop people from walking over it sometimes. Some bits are lamely held together with hazard tape and even autoclave tape. I have seen other staff lightly trip over the lifted parts and it’s been like this for months. Oh and trolleys that are sometimes carrying heavy instrument sets have to roll over it.

Metal brushes are being used for manual cleaning despite being banned. Management and supervisors know but turn a blind eye.

I have been verbally told to bypass proper decontamination procedures by on certain equipment to save time due to the workload.

Flies have been seen in the gowning area and inspection and assembly areas.

There’s a lot of faulty equipment. trolleys, broken scanners, scales and computer stuff sporadically stops working, Some sinks in decon are clogged, some have plugs that don't fit properly. Etc etc And it’s been this way for mooonths.

I’m sure theres other stuff that’s happening too that’s just not springing to mind right now.

I want to file reports with CQC and HSE tbh. I’m worried someone could get seriously hurt one day either at work or in an operating room.

This may sound crazy but Am I overreacting? Prior to this job I did not work in healthcare. Is this just "how it is" in healthcare? Or is this as bad as I think it is?

I cannot shake the feeling that someone is going to get seriously hurt at some point…

hey yall, im currently a steri tech who will eventually be trained to become an assistant but ive had some difficulties with my manager and its making me want to quit alltogether. shes very nit picky and micromanages whoever she chooses to be her target that day and im really exhausted and fed up with it.
sometimes ill go on my phone during a shift, which i know is frowned upon, but i only do it if i have literally NOTHING else to do.
she constantly says that theres stuff to do and i can always help people, but ive been doing that and its going unnoticed for some reason, its a very depressing cycle.
today she warned me again for the phone and said next time it happens, ill be written up. I would understand this if i had things to do but i legit dont.
Ive even tried to find alternatives to being on my phone but she doesnt want me to do those either (doodling, journaling, etc)
today her mini-me was micromanaging me too (i put packs face down in autoclave, she wants them face up)

Im just tired of being expected to stand there like a robot or statue and not do anything? why doesnt anyone try and help me out in that department? they KNOW ill always do what they ask of me….
i feel like i am really good at my job and havent had any issues with what i have to do everyday but being constantly picked at and rarely appreciated is taking a toll on my mental state

I usually only finish 3 to 4 trays during an 8-hour shift, even when I’m working quickly.

Granted trays I grab have 70 or 100 items, but the real problem is that each tray often has the wrong items or missing items, which slows me down.

Also, every time I take an instrument from the wall or cubby, I need to wash it by hand. I also make sure to complete all quality checks and inspections.

I understand I’m working carefully and not rushing or skipping steps, but I’m worried that if I don’t become more productive, I might get in trouble.

When filling this card out, who’s initials should go on this card? The person unloading the sterilizer or the person documenting the test result?

We are a new facility and have just started using SPM. What are your thoughts on SPM after long term usage, what are some quirks or things to know about the workflow and the system in general.

Hi quick question, when doing ur 400hr for clinical how easy is it for you to get hurt… not gon say why but u prob know🫣🚭.

Anyone have any inside information as to what is really going on with their supplies? Being told that seems almost everything we order is on backorder from them.

ie: 1/2" Steri-Strips, Attest Super Rapid Read steam plus challenge Biotest packs, 3M Comply Bowie-Dick Plus Test Packs for starters ..

I’m looking into starting a sterile processing tech program, but I have a concern. I’ve been smoking marijuana for a while now. I know people usually get drug tested before getting hired, but I've heard it rarely happens after that. My question is it common for programs to drug test you while you are still a student? I live in Cali btw

I received a set of screws to replenish in assembly, while I was putting air through them one of the screws had blood in it. So someone in the OR had put a dirty implant back onto the set. How would this happen ? Editng to clarify that it was a cannulated screw set. L

I have been researching different programs for SPD and am in between Purdue or Preppy.

I am someone who is a visual learner but need structure which is why I figured a program online would be best for me.

I talked with support from Preppy and they seem very helpful so far but I know that’s not always the case.

They said they would help me find a job or an externship in my area to gain hands-on hours.

It’s not guaranteed due to place availability but I think I’d rather take the chance but I’m still hesitant.

Every new is scary and once I am in a program I’ll feel better about it.

I just started this job late July, I've only been here for 4 weeks (first week was only orientation and work videos). I have now been in decon (alone mind you) for 3 weeks straight, Monday-Friday 7am-3:30, with a 15 and 30 minute break which most of the time ends up being at 2pm. I had someone training me the first 2 days, after that I've been completely alone. I think I'm doing fine, the back stays empty and clear until 1pm when all the people bring back 3 carts and 5 tables all at once... It's ridiculous, and then I'm blamed for being new and slow when I'm backed up at 1:30-2 people they brought them all at once?? Even if I wasn't getting backed up it cannot be normal to have someone in decon everyday for 3+ weeks. And now they're telling me next week I'm going to be back in decon again until I get the hang of it. I cannot do this, is this normal and I'm just overreacting?? My body is shutting down.

I've been at my current hospital for about 7 months now, but recently they changed our productivity metrics. Due to that, we haven't been able to meet productivity in about 5 weeks. On top of that, they're starting to push us hard for personal productivity as well. Currently, it's measured by instruments sterilized, both for personal and the department productivity.

However, this doesn't include anything else. Even assembling trays doesn't count, only if they get sterilized. What's ended up happening is all of the techs are essentially beginning to fight each other. Nobody wants to go to decon, nobody wants to pull carts out of the washer, nobody wants to put trays up. They won't even grab small trays anymore. All they want to do is grab the large trays from the washer, or even pull 60+ instrument trays from the core itself, and nothing else. Then, they brag about how they've met their productivity 4 hours into their shift.

We're a small facility, 6 techs (one of which is part time), with an average case load of about 17 a day, primarily ortho/sports medicine. Frankly, it's really starting to fray my nerves because we used to actually work together. Now people are actively ignoring any obvious work that needs to get done if it isn't assembling trays, on top of actively shit talking the two techs (myself and one other) who end up having to be the ones to go to decon, to put trays up, to pull stuff out of the washer and the sterilizers, etc because they 'dont want their productivity to go to anyone else.'

Is this how productivity is measured in all SPDs? I've only worked in one other, and our manager never said anything about productivity in my old one.

SPT Program Advice

Hi everyone! I’m planning on enrolling in Penn Foster’s Sterile Processing Technician program next week, and I’d really love to hear from anyone who has taken the program or is currently taking it.

If you’ve completed the program, I’d especially love to hear about your experience, how you studied, how you successfully finished the program, whether you got certified, and how you went about finding your first sterile processing job afterward.

I’m also really interested in hearing from anyone who lives in Illinois, especially around the Chicago suburbs. If you’ve had success finding an SPT job in this area after completing Penn Foster, I’d love to hear your story and any advice you have.

Even if your experience wasn’t perfect, I’d appreciate hearing the honest side of it too. I’m just trying to learn from people who have already gone through the process before I start. Thank you! 🩷

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Hi! I'm interested in the MDR program at Seneca and have a few questions. Please anyone can answer before September

How are the courses, assignments, and tests? Is it mostly theoretical or practical? Are the classes in person? How does the placement work-does Seneca find a placement for you, or do you have to find one yourself? And is it easy to get hired after completing the program?

How is it for someone has accounting background and medium English level

I'd really appreciate any help thanks❤️

It’s my third week in sterile and I am doing my 400 hours and in training technically. I overheard people in the break room gossiping that I am responsible for multiple ‘contamination’ events in OR.

This is because since I started (i’m the only one who is new) there has been issues.

I asked the manage who said the first incident was not me but he said he can’t trace who the second one came from right now if he finds out he would let me know.

Since I’m still in training my trays are supposed to be checked but I don’t know for sure if that’s happening.

I am beyond mortified as it could be me? The timing seems like it so I don’t blame my coworkers for thinking that.

Now I am scared of messing up.

I don’t see a lot of posts on here about how common it is for new persons to make these types of mistakes or what happens if we do?

Hello,

Started the process of becoming a sterile processing tech about a year ago.

Had its ups and downs, was a lot of work, but I ended up completing clinicals and becoming fully certified last Spring.

Since then I’ve applied to hundreds of jobs.. even though I’m really looking for part time, I would take a full time position and have been applying to any sterile processing position in my general area, which is a HCOL major city.

I have a solid resume and cover letter, but cannot get a single interview.

I know the job market across the board is dismal, but can anyone offer any advice? Are there any staffing agencies like a travel company that will take entry level techs?

I’m getting really discouraged and thinking of going back to school again, for another career route.

Thanks!

I heard in my department indicators, especially sterrad, are on backorder and have a shortage across the country. Are y'all having this issue?

I’m about to be a senior in high school, and my plan is to major in chemistry and eventually go to law school to become a patent attorney.

While I’m in college, I’d really like to have a stable job that pays decently and gives me some kind of professional/healthcare experience instead of just working a typical minimum wage job. I recently learned about becoming a sterile processing technician and it seems really interesting, but I’m wondering how realistic it actually is to do while being a full time college student, especially with a chemistry major.

Would it be worth getting certified and trying to work part time or PRN as a sterile processing tech while in college? Or is the training, clinical hours, and work schedule too time consuming to realistically balance with school?

I’d especially love to hear from anyone who has worked in sterile processing while attending college. What was your schedule like? Were hospitals willing to work around your classes? And if you could do it again, would you still choose sterile processing as your college job, or would you recommend something else?