162 - Achieving Zero

Location: Hall E

Primary Poster Author(s)

Shyrel Thomas, MSN, RN, CNOR, NEA-BC (she/her/hers)

Director of Patient Care
Emory University Hospital
Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Co-Author(s)

SE

Seketha Edwards, CRCST

SPD Manager
Emory University Healthcare
MARIETTA, Georgia, United States
Jessica Tarabay, DrPH, MHR, CIC, AL-CIP,CPHQ, FAPIC (she/her/hers)

Director of Quality and Patient Safety
Emory Healthcare
Brookhaven, Georgia, United States

Disclosure(s):

Shyrel Thomas, MSN, RN, CNOR, NEA-BC: No financial relationships to disclose

Seketha Edwards, CRCST: No financial relationships to disclose

Jessica Tarabay, DrPH, MHR, CIC, AL-CIP,CPHQ, FAPIC: No financial relationships to disclose

Description: Immediate use steam sterilization (IUSS), also known as "flash sterilization," is a process used to quickly sterilize surgical instruments that are needed urgently, typically between surgeries. While IUSS can be a valuable tool in healthcare settings, its overuse or improper implementation can pose significant risks to both patient care and surgical operations.The reliance on IUSS can lead to inadequate sterilization of instruments, increasing the risk of surgical site infections (SSIs) and other healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). This not only jeopardizes patient safety but also results in increased healthcare costs and potential legal ramifications.