March 2026 eChapter Monthly CE Webinar - "Optimizing Sterile Processing Operation"

Sterile Processing Departments (SPDs) are essential to safe perioperative care. This continuing education activity focuses on strengthening organizational capacity and enhancing operational performance to support reliable, high-quality instrument processing.

Learner Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, the participant will be able to:

1. Define sterile processing organizational capacity.

2. Identify key organizational capacity resources required for SPD success.

3. Define sterile processing operational performance.

4. Describe key operational performance attributes related to people, process, and technology.

Content Overview

The activity will:

• Define organizational capacity as the resources and capabilities necessary to achieve departmental and organizational goals.

• Examine seven key capacity domains: staffing budget, technology, equipment and space, infrastructure and utilities, instrument inventory, supplies, and maintenance programs.

• Define operational performance as the effective management of people, processes, daily operations, and technology.

• Review performance management principles including staffing analysis, standard work compliance, daily production management, capacity balancing, and technology utilization.

• Discuss how gaps in capacity and performance impact quality, efficiency, and patient safety outcomes.

This activity provides practical, evidence-informed strategies to help perioperative and sterile processing leaders evaluate current operations, identify improvement opportunities, and implement sustainable performance enhancements.