Quality Improvement of Medical Devices Disbursement in Central Sterile Supply Department with Paperless System, Chaiyaphum Hospital

Abstract

Quality improvement of the disbursement process of sterile medical devices to ensure convenience, accuracy, and speed is crucial for delivering effective patient care.

Objective: To enhance the quality of the paperless medical equipment disbursement system and evaluate the outcomes of improvements in disbursement, the Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD), Chaiyaphum Hospital.

Methods: A developmental study was conducted among 88 employees from all patient care units that used sterile medical devices. The study tool was a Windows-based CSSD paperless computer program for online paperless disbursement. Quality improvement was implemented according to the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) process between October 2022 and September 2023. Data were collected using the medical device disbursement record form and a satisfaction questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired sample t-tests.

Result:  The primary cause of delayed medical devices disbursement is the practice of shipping medical equipment and then awaiting a single data entry checkpoint at the CSSD. After implementing a paperless system for sterile medical device disbursement, the number of personnel involved in the equipment exchange process decreased from 88 to 8 individuals per day, the cost of re-sterilization decreased by 32.2% (equivalent to 56,310 baht), and the time required for recording disbursement information was reduced by 71 minutes (from 141 to 70 minutes) with a mean difference of 29 minutes (95% CI: 67.6, 74.2). This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Additionally, the key informant expressed satisfaction with the paperless system for medical device disbursement, with an overall satisfaction level of 82.82%.

Conclusion: The paperless medical device disbursement system is convenient, easy to use, and saves both money and personnel time. It increases user satisfaction and enables accurate verification