Sterile processing technicians and specialists—responsible for the cleaning, disinfection, assembly and delivery of surgical and other reusable medical equipment—are among the unsung heroes in healthcare. Without properly sterilized instruments, hospital procedures can slow or come to a halt while also placing patients and staff at risk for dangerous diseases and infections.

And yet, similar to other healthcare professions post-COVID-19, there’s a “staffing crisis” in sterile processing, potentially resulting in low morale, a reduction in productivity and an increased risk for mistakes.

Creating a pipeline of passionate, well-trained SPTs

In 2021, The University of Kansas Health System confronted these challenges head-on by creating a unique internship program that combines academic study with 400 hours of on-site clinical experience. During the 20-week program, The University of Kansas Health System sterile processing technician interns shadow operating room clinicians and staff, witnessing fist-hand instrument preparations and use. The interns also meet patients.

The result is an ongoing pipeline of well-trained SPTs passionate about their work and their role in overall patient safety and care. At the same time, staffing and quality at The University of Kansas Health System have improved.

“Sterile processing is really the foundation of our hospital,” said Whitney Huddleston, MHA, BSN, RN, The University of Kansas Health System director of perioperative and procedural services. “Without clean instrumentation, there are not a lot of procedures that we can perform.”

Huddleston says the SPT intern program has resulted in fewer temporary staff and “a lot of exciting changes in quality and culture” at the system’s five acute care hospitals. “We’ve seen a drastic reduction in quality defects hitting the OR, with educators in the internship program ensuring that everyone has the right training to reduce defects. Hand in hand with the internship program is a new culture and professional environment. We work as a team. We’re respectful and kind.”

Sterile Processing at The University of Kansas Health System also has a physician partner in every department, said Huddleston. “The partnership has evolved naturally as we made improvements to the program. The physicians want to be part of it.”

“From the top down, everyone is involved; they’re all present,” said Cameron Stampfel, sterile processing supervisor at The University of Kansas Health System. “The techs on the floor and the preceptors all have a passion for the job. That passion, support, and knowing that from the top down they all care is what makes this program unique.”

Hands-on clinical training that includes an operating room rotation

Jeremy Thompson, sterile processing educator, is training the health system’s eighth cohort with 16 students. While most SPT training programs are conducted at local colleges with clinical requirements completed at nearby hospitals, Thompson said he appreciates “that these students are not only book learning but also integrating on-site clinicals into their training; getting the ‘why’ behind how we do various things.”

Thompson also lauded the opportunities for interns to meet and observe patients in the operating room.

“Having SPT interns in the operating room brings the patient to the forefront,” added Thompson. “They’re not just seeing metal instruments. They’re seeing a patient now. You can tell someone, ‘this could be your mom,’ or ‘this could be you on that table,’ but until you are actually in the room, seeing that patient and seeing those instruments in action, there’s a disconnect. With this program, we’re able to provide that missing piece.”

Career opportunities, advancement

The University of Kansas Health System interns also observe and benefit from a broad range of career opportunities stemming from a foundation in SPT. “Everyone gets to see every role and know that there are opportunities for advancement,” said Stampfel.

To date, more than 100 SPT interns have completed The University of Kansas Health System program, with many staying on to work at The University of Kansas Health System.

Since completing The University of Kansas Health System internship in 2021, Stampfel says his career “has evolved in amazing ways.” He started out as a third-shift SPT where he learned multiple roles, and later became a supervisor. He then was promoted to second shift to lead a large team, and most recently, to a first-shift leadership position.

Thompson says SPTs are the “stage crew” behind a hospital’s performance.

SPTs: ‘The linchpins that keep everything flowing’

“At the end of the day, I’ve been told numerous times that we can make or break a surgery without ever setting foot into the operating room,” Thompson continued.

“You go to a stage production, and it’s amazing, but you don’t see the backstage crew trying to get everything set up as best as they can,” said Thompson. “You don’t see sterile processing. We have to make sure that our instruments are clean and amazingly put together and organized in a way that we can sterilize them.”

“We know we’re good,” said Thompson. “We’re one of the linchpins that keep everything flowing.”

Medline is the The University of Kansas Health System’s prime vendor supplier, exclusively distributing an extensive portfolio of essential medical supplies and solutions across the health system’s hospitals.

Medline supports and provides ongoing sterile processing department education. Learn more about our dedicated Sterile Processing resource center at Medline University.

Learn more about how Medline is helping to make healthcare run better.