TPCH Surgical Services are set to benefit from a works project to improve the storage of stock in the operating theatre.

The Sterile Stores project will see the establishment of two dedicated store rooms that will provide a streamlined and coordinated approach to the storage and management of sterile stock and reusable medical devices (RMDs).

The project will also ensure that RMDs and sterile stock in theatres is kept in a purpose built environment to ensure maintenance of sterility and compliance with the Australian Standard For Reprocessing of Reuseable Medical Devices (AS/NSS 4187:2014).

Currently, sterile stock and RMDs are stored across several locations throughout the operating theatre.

Project Nurse Manager Mini Kurian that having stock in multiple locations throughout the theatre environment makes it difficult for staff to access and monitor stock efficiently.

“Staff can spend valuable time trying to locate stock and equipment because it is not in centralised location,” Mini said.

With the current set up, staff are also required to manually monitor humidity and temperature levels, which are critical factors in maintaining sterile consumables.

The two new designated stock areas will allow staff to access surgical supplies from a centralised area, essentially providing a one stop, or in this case a two-stop shop for surgical consumables.

The upgraded store rooms will provide automatic temperature and humidity monitoring system which will allow the immediate detection and rectification of any fluctuations, therefore preventing any adverse impact on stock.

“The new stock areas will allow a much more coordinated and economical approach to storing and ordering stock in the operating theatre,” Mini said.

Staff will save a lot of time and effort in locating stock, making it a much smoother process for the entire team,” Mini  said.

The project, which commenced in May is set for completion towards the end of the year.

For more information contact Mini Kurian, Nurse Manager Sterile Stores Project on ext. 5134  or email: Mini.Kurian@health.qld.gov.au