The cleaning clock starts in the OR

Sterile processing technicians perform the detailed work of cleaning reusable instruments, but sound reprocessing begins before those instruments reach decontamination.

Blood, tissue, and other organic material become harder to remove when allowed to dry. Point-of-use treatment helps keep soil from drying during transport. It does not replace full cleaning in SPD; it supports the process and gives technicians a better chance to clean each device correctly and safely.

Why timing matters

The CDC explains that thorough cleaning is required before disinfection or sterilization because remaining organic and inorganic material can interfere with those processes. When soil dries on hinges, box locks, serrations, or inside lumens, soil removal becomes more difficult and the entire reprocessing workflow may be affected.

What technicians should look for

When contaminated instruments arrive in decontamination, technicians should evaluate more than the tray count. Look closely for:

• Dried soil on instrument surfaces
• Debris around hinges, box locks, and serrations
• Lumens that were not treated according to the device's IFU
• Instruments left closed or improperly positioned
• Delays or transport conditions that allowed soil to dry

Real-world issue: instruments arrive with dried soil

A quality-improvement initiative presented at the 2026 AORN Global Surgical Conference showed how collaboration between OR and SPD can address contaminated surgical trays. Northeast Georgia Health System focused on shared expectations, consistent workflows, communication, and accountability, connecting instrument contamination with patient safety, case delays, OR efficiency, and patient and surgeon satisfaction.

The takeaway: instrument processing is a shared workflow. Meaningful improvement requires OR and SPD to solve problems together.

The leadership: not an SPD workaround

Point-of-use failures are rarely solved by simply asking sterile processing technicians to work harder. Leaders should track where failures originate, identify patterns by procedural area or service line, and provide targeted education.

Clear responsibilities, accessible supplies, staff competency, and consistent feedback help create a reliable workflow. The goal is not to assign blame. It is to establish shared accountability between procedural teams and SPD for producing safe, patient-ready instruments. How can SPD reduce point-of-use failures?

Expert section: what does it really take to become a sterile processing technician?

Sterile processing is a detail-driven profession where every step matters. From cleaning and inspecting instruments to assembling and sterilizing surgical sets, technicians must follow established procedures and maintain consistent standards to help protect patients. The role requires focus, technical knowledge, and a strong commitment to safety.

Understanding the daily responsibilities, required skills, and certification expectations can help you decide if this career is right for you and prepare you to meet employer requirements. — Michael Thinner, CRCST, CHL, CIS, CER, BBA, Co-Founder & Instructor, Aseptic Technical Solutions

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