Sterile Processing & Instruments

At Nash Healthcare Consulting (NHC), our mission is to support health organizations with the tools and resources needed to provide high-quality care. Our comprehensive evaluations address issues that result in an Immediate Jeopardy or Immediate Threat to Health and Safety. Our teams perform instrument tracers from procedural areas to sterile processing, evaluate critical documentation in SPD to address surveyor questions, identify instruments not suitable for use, inspect instrument and sterile trays in critical procedural areas such as the operating room, labor and delivery, and the emergency department. Our teams evaluate proper sterilization times, and procedures based on the instrument manufacturer’s instructions. A comprehensive staff competency assessment is performed and recommendations for improvement are provided. Complete assessment recommendations are delivered with action plans on how to implement improvements that take aim at preventing negative survey outcomes and patient safety issues. Our consultants will stay on site after noncompliance has been identified to help on site staff members resolve instrument problems that negatively impact an accreditation survey. NHC’s leadership team is equipped to staff sterile processing departments, including supervisory and education personnel, on all shifts. NHC’s SPD technical staff are certified sterile processing technicians who are up to date on the current requirements, AAMI ST79 guidelines, and all infection control.

Our comprehensive range of consulting services covers all aspects of sterile processing including:

Workflow Optimization: We analyze your facility's workflow from start to finish, identifying inefficiencies and recommending streamlined processes to improve productivity and reduce turnaround times.

Equipment Assessment: We evaluate your sterilization equipment and instrumentation to ensure proper functioning, compliance with manufacturer guidelines, and adherence to industry standards.

Staff Training and Education: We provide customized training programs and educational presentations for sterile processing technicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to enhance their knowledge of sterilization techniques, infection control protocols, and best practices.

Quality Assurance and Compliance: We assist in developing quality assurance programs and protocols to monitor sterilization effectiveness, comply with regulatory requirements, and maintain accreditation standards.

Risk Management: We help identify potential risks in sterile processing operations and develop strategies to mitigate them, ensuring the safety of patients and staff.

Technology Integration: We advise on implementing new technologies and software solutions to automate processes, enhance traceability, and improve overall efficiency in sterile processing.

Litigation:  We are trusted subject matter experts providing expert guidance to legal representatives. 

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE FIRM

A women-owned business, Nash Healthcare Consulting, has been in business since 2009 employing a diversified group of licensed, practicing healthcare professionals with long-standing healthcare experience, many over forty years each. For the past fifteen years, NHC has supported domestic and international healthcare organizations with the tools and resources needed to provide high-quality care focused on accreditation preparation, quality and risk assessment, high-level disinfection and sterilization, education and medical staff safety and pharmacy compliance. We work diligently with our clients to incorporate and apply sustainable strategies and processes to improve healthcare organizations.

SERVICES

  • Instrument and sterile tray inspections in critical procedural areas such as the operating room, labor and delivery, and the emergency department. 

  • Evaluation of proper sterilization times and procedures based on the instrument manufacturer’s instructions.

  • Staff competency assessment evaluations and recommendations for improvement.  Education is provided when deficiencies are identified. 

  • Recommendations and implementation of improvements to prevent negative survey outcomes and address patient safety issues.

  • A full report is provided after the initial assessment and when onsite implementation is required daily. 

  • Compliance with AAMI ST79 and all applicable ISO requirements.

  • Workflow optimization to improve productivity

  • Equipment assessment to meet manufacturer guidelines

  • Staff training and education tailored to sterile processing technicians and infection control

  • Quality assurance programs and protocol implementation

  • Risk management in sterile processing operations

  • Technology integration to enhance traceability

  • Subject matter experts in litigation or any pending legal matters

  • Evaluating critical documentation in SPD

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Sterilization and AAMI ST108

“In my 28 years of military and civilian experience, I would place Nash Healthcare Consulting in the top 1% of all contractors that have supported my organizations and have zero reservations about providing this endorsement.”