Sterile Processing Departments Urged to Strengthen Continuity Plans Amid Sterilization Failures

A recent sterilization failure that forced the postponement of 165 surgeries at Whitehorse General Hospital has renewed calls for stronger contingency planning in Sterile Processing Departments (SPDs) nationwide. The incident, traced to water-quality and equipment malfunctions, highlights how easily a breakdown in sterilization can disrupt hospital operations. (Hospital News)

Growing Demand for SPD Resilience

Industry experts warn that many SPDs operate with aging infrastructure, limited staff, and inconsistent water-filtration systems. Building continuity plans — including redundant sterilization pathways, backup DI/RO water systems, and vendor-supported reprocessing programs — is now essential.

“Hospitals can’t afford downtime in their sterile supply chain,” noted George Broughton III of Sterile Mate LLC. “Our role is to help facilities modernize equipment, improve water-quality compliance, and ensure uninterrupted instrument availability.”

The Compliance Imperative

With the release of AAMI ST108, stricter attention to water purity, maintenance, and monitoring has become the benchmark for SPD success. Facilities are increasingly turning to companies like Sterile Mate for turnkey compliance solutions, including RO/DI system installations, water-sampling services, and staff training programs.

Takeaway: Building a resilient SPD isn’t optional — it’s a patient-safety mandate. Sterile Mate continues to support healthcare partners by providing compliant systems, certified equipment, and consultative expertise to safeguard every surgical instrument from start to finish.