hand washing in wrap area

[SHIRLEEN VANOCKER]

has anyone ever heard of having a hand washing sink within the wrap / sterilization area of a sterile processing area? IC seems to think we need to make handwashing as convenient as possible for employees, otherwise "they" may not wash hands as frequently as needed. I disagree with a sink in the sterile area. What are the thoughts and are there any guidelines out there that cover this?

[Uprooted Scrub]

Shirleen:

ST 46, Page 14 addresses this. They also make mention of waterless handwash.

Hope this helps!

Blaine

[Francisco]

We have two sinks in the prep and sterilzation area. However, the sinks are about 20 feet from where any instrument or sterilizer is. I have to say that our techs use it frequently. Moreover, we take steps to encourage the use of the sinks. I feel that the sinks are an asset to our area.

[sonny1388]

I don't really care for the idea of sinks in the pack/assembly area. We do have one, but we use it mostly for disposing of punctured but not used Steris cups. Seems like there could be a possibility of getting soap on/in your not yet sterilized packs. I prefer the way we have our dept. set up, with a handwashing sink between decontam and sterile, and another between the 'break down area' (where we recieve our supplies) and sterile. Then it is very easy to remember to wash going from one area to the other, and no worries about contaminating.

[Diane]

I did some thinking on this question of having or not having a sink in the sterile wrapping area. Why would you not want one? When I am in the sterile area I wash my hands quit often just because I feel if I touch a cupboard door to get out more wrappers or the clean linen cart I wash my hands let alone numorous other reasons. What if you sneeze or couph what would you do? I feel it encourages washing the hands often. Just my opinion.:)

[djw]

I agree with Diane. We have a wash sink located in our wrapping area, within feet of our wrapping table. For the exact reasons she mentioned. If you sneeze or cough, you are much more inclined to wash up right away if you don't have to leave your area to do it. Also, we have our pass through door right next to the sink, so you can wash after coming through and opening the door. Our washers also unload in the same room, and after unloading the washers and rolling the instr. into the assembly area, we need to wash again before returning to wrapping.

[sonny1388]

We have been using the same no water hand washing system in C.S. as they use up in the O.R. for these instances. In the past it has been an alcohol foam from Steris, and we are currently in the process of moving to a product from Medline. This gives us the best of both worlds, easy access to handwashing without the detriments of splashing water. IMHO, I think it is important to remember that when it comes to sterile packaging, water is just as much of a threat, if not more, than anything you might have on your hands.

[New CSD Tech]

The only sinks in our department (other then the restrooms), is in the decontam area. There are several purell dispensers throughout the department, but there are times when nothing beats a good old fashioned scrub.

A good reason for this is that our carts that go into the steam sterlizers get quite a bit of soot on them. Many times it will take several good scrubbings to get off all the remaining dirt. Since our department is short- staffed in the evenings, we often have to go upfront to help someone with materials or equipment or answer the phone when sterilizing. I think it would certainly be helpful to have another handwash sink, maybe during the next renovation!

[edbaker]

I am in favor of a hand wash sink in the prep and pack area for many of the reasons that some of you have mentioned. As well as having an appropriate area to have staff members to wash their hands when needed, it also allows you to have an eye station attached to the facuets for safety reasons. Our facility safety committe has pretty much stated that it is a standard to have an eye wash station in the prep and pack area. I agree with their policy and I am gald that we now have a hand wash sink with an eye wash attachment installed. Something to think about folks...........

[SHIRLEEN VANOCKER]

well, I thank everyone for the responses! The Overwhelming opinion seems to be to have sinks available. There were a lot of good points that justify this. I guess I'll eat crow and go speak to our infectoin control about this!
Thank you everyone1

[sonny1388]

During the course in Las Vegas last week, Nancy Chobin also recommended having sinks in the wrap area. I hope she doesn't mind me using her name, but she is the most knowledgable person I have ever met when it comes to C.S./SPD and her word is gold to me! So, while I still have a preference for waterless in the sterile area, I am less adament about not having a sink.

[brandoncox]

We have a sink in our Prep & Pack area, I use it many times a day.