Root cause analysis in continuous improvement of cleaning quality of reusable medical instruments / 中国感染控制杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To improve the cleaning quality of reusable medical instruments continuously through root cause analysis,reduce healthcare-associated infection(HAI)and the wear and tear of instruments.Methods The major factors influencing the cleaning quality of instruments were analyzed and clarified by fishbone diagram,contin-uous quality improvement was carried out based on 5 terminal factors,the rate of rusting,stain,repeated cleaning, damage,and clinical department satisfaction before and after the implementation of continuous improvement were compared.Results The qualified rate of instrument clean increased from 94.24% before implementing measures to 97.60% after implementing measures,the rate of rusting,stain,repeated cleaning,damage decreased from 3.39%, 2.37%,5.76%,and 2.08% to 1 .55%,0.85%,2.40%,and 0.48% respectively,there were significant difference among different groups(all P <0.001 );the score of satisfaction rate to central sterile supply department elevated from(93.87±3.87)before implementing measures to (98.08 ±0.59)after implementing measures(t =6.80,P <0.001).Conclusion Root cause analysis is important in improving cleaning quality of reusable instruments continu-ously,as well as reducing HAI and the wear and tear of instrument,it can save medical cost.