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Ever wonder how medical tools and devices are sanitized and prepped for procedures?
The Medical Device Reprocessing Department (MDRD) is where the sanitizing magic happens. This efficient team are responsible for sanitizing medical instruments from across Osler’s hospitals and prepping them for their next use in safe patient care.
Lalieta, is the lead hand at Etobicoke General Hospital, and has been a part of the MDRD for many years. She tells us about her unique role and its impact on patient care and experience.
Tell us about your role in the MDRD
I am the lead hand for the department which means I oversee my team and all the processing that happens in our department. I’ve been working in this department for 24 years – I just know I am meant to be here!
How does the entire process work to ensure tools are cleaned and administered correctly?
People may not know just how extensive the cleaning process is and that it is specific to the tool or device being sanitized.
First the items are washed, then sent to processing where, like a puzzle, they are organized to be sent through the sanitizing machines. They are sterilized in an oven and depending on the tool, some are then sent through an additional sanitizing system.
After the tools cool down, they go through a final machine and are then ready for reuse. Every instrument is barcoded which allows us to trace where and how it has been used. The entire process takes approximately four hours and 30 minutes.
How are tools then collected and sent to where they need to go next?
The clean and sanitized items are then stored, ready to be packaged for their next use. Departments order what we call a “grocery list” of items needed for a specific case. The “grocery list” lets us know exactly which tools are needed and we package them up safely to be brought to the unit by a porter.
Your job is crucial to ensure departments across the hospital have the tools they need. How important is your relationship with other teams?
We work with all units across the hospital, including Surgery, Diagnostic Imaging, Respirology, Women’s and Children’s and more. Collaboration is key. When we get notice of an emergency surgery and need to gather the tools together ASAP, we make it happen!
It also starts at the ground level - I’m so proud of my team. The pandemic has presented some challenging times and we grew together as a family, which is evident in our day-to-day work.
How important is patient safety to your team?
Everything we do here is to ensure the tools used in our patients’ care are at the highest standard and available exactly when needed. Even though we don’t work directly with patients, the support we provide clinical staff is so important to the care patients receive.
Since my very first day here at Osler, it was instilled in me that patient safety is of the utmost importance, 100% of the time. This continues to be a key principle for me and my team.
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