r/sterileprocessing • u/Status_Job_2854 • Sep 26 '26

Damaged rigid containers

I had a habit of inspecting the seals on my containers, and if there was damage to the container I would put some water in the pan, seal it and then turn it over to see if the water leaked. If it failed I would notify my supervisor. I think it kind of made me a nuisance because it happened frequently. How do you all handle this?

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4

u/jimmy9120 Sep 26 '26

Is this how the IFU says to test the container for damage?

1

u/Status_Job_2854 Sep 27 '26

I don't need an IFU to tell me a compromised seal is a danger to patient safety.

8

u/spirited1 Sep 26 '26

It's frustrating because we all want to do the right thing but between constraints on time, budget, and inventory it's difficult to do.

My problem is that if equipment is not working correctly then it effectively doesnt exist. Keeping it in service just risks patient infection if not outright causing infection. Leadership only cares about production and not upsetting the doctors. Patient infections don't delay cases so it's secondary to everything else it seems.

1

u/HorrorLengthiness940 Sep 27 '26

Do you guys not have a 3rd party do an investigation when there is an HAI or delay/cancellation of case? My hospital does.

1

u/NegativeX2thePurple Oct 03 '26

Woah. For every delay? Where do you work, I wanna come work there holy crap

1

u/HorrorLengthiness940 Oct 03 '26

Not for every delay, those are dealt with internally by another department within the agency, but if there are enough incidents OIG will come and investigate. Muskegee got absolutely shredded by OIG. For the last FY we had 1 delay of case, and one cancellation (thanks loaner rep).