Huang Mei Hui
Taipei Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan
Abstract Title:
Enhancing Sterilization Efficiency and Cost Management in Operating Rooms
Biography:
Huang Mei-hui obtained her Master's degree in Business Administration in Healthcare Management from Chang Gung University at the age of 43. She works as the Head Nurse of the Operating Room at Taipei Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, with 25 years of nursing experience.
Research Interests:
Purpose: The large volume of items requiring steam and plasma sterilization in the operating room results in frequent sterilization cycles, extensive use of wrapping materials, and significant manpower required for packaging. This project aimed to reduce the number of steam sterilization loads, consolidate instrument trays, and decrease the labor time associated with preparing needle packs.
Methods: From March to April 2025, laparoscopic single-use items were integrated into the laparoscopic instrument tray set, and the number of single-packed orthopedic instruments was reduced. Handmade needle packs were replaced with prepackaged sterile needles without sutures. Waterproof drapes were adopted to replace sterilized treatment trays.
Results: From May to September 2025, the number of single-packed general surgical instruments decreased from 121 to 85 packs, and single-packed orthopedic instruments decreased from 169 to 160 packs. The cost of sterile needles without sutures was reduced from 175 NTD to 76 NTD. Carbon emissions were reduced by approximately 31 kg COâ‚‚e per month.
Conclusion: Through the consolidation of instrument trays and the adoption of alternative sterilization materials, the number of sterilization trays and single-packed instruments was reduced, along with sterilization and labor costs. These strategies also contributed to energy conservation and carbon reduction.
