Open Or Closed Storage. That Is The Question.
Dustin Patterson | Regional Sales Manager, LogiQuip LLC.
Sterile storage space is often at a premium leaving many sterile processing departments to work under less-than-ideal circumstances leading to inefficient processes, staff frustration, and potentially patient dissatisfaction. Determining whether you need open or closed storage can help offset some of these inefficiencies. When selecting what type of shelving you need in your sterile storage area there are several things to consider:
- If your sterile storage is located in a low traffic area with limited access open or closed storage works well. If this is not possible then closed storage will help to keep contaminants away from your sterile supplies.
- Is there enough vertical space in your sterile storage area to accommodate ANSI-AAMI 2017 guidelines? These recommend that shelves be at least 10’’ off the floor, and least 18’’ from the ceiling or sprinkler heads. If so, open storage will work well.
- Are you in compliance with recommended climate conditions of 60% relative humidity and a temperature of 75° F/24° C? If not, look at closed storage options.
- Are items being transported around your facility? If so, closed storage is the right move as it will help to limit contaminants from entering the cabinet.
- Are you storing items that need to have controlled access? There are several enclosed, controlled access options available with key lock, eLock, and proximity lock that allow you to store all items, large and small.
Regardless of shelving being open or closed, make sure that the shelving has a smooth, burr-free finish so that it does not snag or tear sterile packages, causing items to go back to reprocessing.
Dustin Patterson is currently the Mid-West Regional Sales Manager with Logiquip Healthcare Storage Solutions, a leading provider of high- quality, future focused storage systems designed exclusively for use in the healthcare environment. Logiquip is based out of Kalamazoo, MI and has served healthcare organizations across the US for 30 years. Dustin brings over 12 years of experience in space planning and healthcare storage. He has acted on behalf of LogiQuip as the vendor liaison to the AHRMM Wisconsin Chapter, a leading membership group for healthcare supply chain professionals. Working closely with many hospitals and surgery centers, Dustin has developed tailored solutions using a mix of best practices, Lean principles, and industry-leading storage equipment. He has also worked with many Sterile Processing Departments to maximize storage spaces, balancing trade-offs between high-capacity storage layouts and workflow efficiencies.
