Enhancement program to sustain a healthy workplace in Theatre Sterilization Service Unit of Kwong Wah Hospital

Abstract Description

Authors (including presenting author) :

Wong WY, Ng CT, Chan WK, Shing LY

Affiliation :

Department of Anaesthesiology and Operating Theatre Services, Kwong Wah Hospital

Introduction :

Manual Handling Operation (MHO) is an important issue that challenges the staffs’ health who are working in Theatre Sterilization Service Unit (TSSU). Unfortunately, there were three injuries-on-duty (IOD) happened between the mid-year of 2016 to the mid-year of 2017. The incidents included musculoskeletal injuries and burns by hot instrument. Consequently, heavy workload and negative morale among staffs were arisen because of the shortage of manpower. Therefore, this enhancement program was implemented in order to cope with that situation.

Objectives :

1. To review and identify the risk factors of the incidents in TSSU;
2. To minimize the risks of MHO in TSSU; and 3. To promote staff’s safety and health

Methodology :

The enhancement program was launched in terms of ‘plan-do-check-act’ cycles. Regarding the review of the incidents, the risk factors were identified including insufficient information on the instruments for staffs during loading and unloading, crowded environment in sterilization store, and insufficient protective device on handling hot instruments. Insufficient information on the instruments
 Weight and label all theatre instrument sets;
 Reorganize and relocate all instrument sets in the suitable height of the racks;
 Provide warning of heavy instrument sets; Crowded environment in sterilization store
 Reinforce lean management and organize monthly meeting to reduce seldom used instrument sets Insufficient protective device on handling hot instruments
 Purchase and Introduce the usage of Nitrile protective gloves

Result & Outcome :

Over 90% of the instrument sets were reviewed and weighted. Of them, 5 instrument sets were found over-weighted regarding the requirement of not exceeding 25kg. They were reformed in order to reduce the weight below 25kg. Besides, overall staffs’ satisfaction of the TSSU workplace was increased and sickness absences were reduced by interviewing all staffs in TSSU after 3 months of post intervention.