Knowledge and Educational Needs for Medical Devices Reprocessing among Central Supply Room and Operating Room Nurses

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the knowledge and educational needs of operating room(OR) and central supply room (CSR) nurses about medical equipment reprocessing .Methods: The subjects were 148 operating room and central supply room nurses working at 13 general hospitals in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. The descriptive study surveyed knowledge and educational needs about medical device reprocessing among nurses. Data were collected from April 1 to May 20, 2022 and, analyzed using the mean and standard deviation, independent t-test, and one-way analysis of variance with SPSS 27.0.Results: The participants were 66 CSR nurses and 82 OR nurses. The score for knowledge was 26.93±4.14 and the highest score in knowledge and educational needs was found for sterilization indicators. The number of beds was significantly associated with knowledge (F=3.16, p=.046), and OR nurses had higher scores for educational needs than CSR nurses (t=3.28, p<.001). Exposure to external education was associated with a higher score for educational needs (t=1.73, p=043). In knowledge, significant differences according to the current department were found for return and cleaning (t=-4.02, p<.001) and, sterilization methods (t=2.57, p=.006). Regarding educational needs, significant differences were found according to the current department in return and cleaning (t=2.83, p=.003), packing (t=2.85, p=.003), sterilization methods (t=3.29, p<.001). Sterilization indicators (t=2.26, p=.013), and sterilization maintenance and release (t=3.85, p<.001).Conclusion: The risk of medical device related infection should be minimized through correct reprocessing. It is necessary to develop an educational program for nurses in charge of reprocessing.