Using the Task-Oriented Quality Control Circle to Build the Central Sterile Supply Department Quality Control System for Foreign Objects Remaining in Sterile Packages.

Background: The occurrence of foreign objects in sterile packages may delay surgeries and affect the quality of medical treatment.

Purpose: This study aimed to use the task-oriented quality control circle (QCC) to build the central sterile supply department (CSSD) quality control system for foreign objects remaining in sterile packages.

Methods: A task-oriented QCC was created under the leadership of the CSSD within our hospital. The following were investigated by determining a topic and a task, setting targets, formulating strategies and determining optimal strategies: incidence of foreign objects remaining in sorted and folded textiles; incidence of foreign objects remaining in contaminated instrument packages; incidence of foreign objects remaining in clean textiles; incidence of complaints for foreign objects remaining in sterile packages; and satisfaction among the CSSD and operating room staff.

Results: The incidence of foreign objects remaining in contaminated textiles decreased from 7.1% to 0.96%. The incidence of foreign objects remaining in contaminated instrument packages decreased from 0.27% to 0.04%. The incidence of foreign objects remaining in clean textiles decreased from 2.91% to 0.21%. The incidence of complaints received from operating room staff for foreign objects remaining in sterile packages decreased from 41.69% to 0. Satisfaction among the operating room and CSSD staff was improved from 53.7% to 100%.

Conclusion: The task-oriented QCC could reduce the incidence of foreign objects remaining in sterile packages, thereby reducing the quality defect rates in instrument packaging.