CATEGORY: SPD

Sep 03, 2024

2024 Sterile Processing State of the Industry Report – Executive Summary

Pure Processing’s annual industry reports provide useful insights, trends, and challenges through the eyes of sterile processing professionals working in SPD daily. Through these responses and insights, managers and leadership can open a window into what SPD professionals are seeing and thinking in new ways, and across the country. This year’s 2024 Sterile Processing State of the Industry Survey (results used to create the 2024 Sterile Processing State of the Industry Report) incorporates the responses from 569 SPD or SPD-related individuals from across the United States. This executive summary highlights some of the major themes and challenges identified within the 2024 Sterile Processing State of the Industry Report.   Patient Safety The importance of sterile processing’s role relative to patient safety is top of mind for SPD professionals, in more ways than one. Not only was a shared sense purpose regarding patient safety something that participants considered to be a major factor that made a department great to working, but the way their work contributes to patient safety is a core facet of why they enjoy working in sterile processing, generally.   Training & Education Training & education was a common theme throughout the survey and report. Key considerations participants mentioned were consistency of training & education opportunities, access to training & education on-the-clock, getting hands-on training with instruments and equipment from vendors, and determining competency more than once a year. 68.29% reported their department putting a strong emphasis on training education. Educators were considered to have the most influence on training & education in departments. Surprisingly, 12.94% of “Other” responses indicated that no one was influencing education in their department.   Pride in SPD Pride in the work they do and knowing the impact they have was shared among many of the participants. Even while acknowledging things like challenging, physically demanding work, poor compensation, and lack of appreciate & recognition, pride in the service they provide for the hospital, OR, and patients was on full display.   Pay & Compensation As many in sterile processing can likely relate to, pay & compensation arose as a concern and common problem in the 2024 Sterile Processing State of the Industry Report. Key concepts in this area focused on the importance of the role SPD plays in a healthcare setting, the level of knowledge and expertise required to execute the job effectively, and the compensation of other healthcare positions, such as scrub techs, being disproportionate to theirs.   Entering the Industry With referrals by friends or colleagues, moving from another department within their facility, and pursuit of a career in SPD accounting for 62.57% of entrances into the industry, managers are probably still well-suited utilizing their professional network to identify their future teammates.   Leaving Sterile Processing While many expressed an enthusiastic, committed disposition toward sterile processing and their time in it, they didn’t shy away from acknowledging what drives people out of the industry, aside from compensation. Lack of appreciation was the top reported reason for SPD professionals to leave the industry, followed by the physical demands of the job, with lack of upward mobility and a career ladder coming in third. Leadership & Management Leadership & management styles were pointed throughout the report, with areas of opportunity emphasizing consistent accountability of all teammates, advocating for SPD teams, creating opportunities for teams to grow professionally, and facilitating good communication. One other key point made was the need to have leadership with a background in sterile processing, with many denoting the frustration that comes with reporting to someone that is perceived to lack an understanding of all that their department is doing. Misunderstood In many respects, participants felt that their sterile processing departments are fundamentally misunderstood. Misunderstood by executives, by OR staff, and even their leaders. Aspects surrounding the perceived misunderstanding include what exactly SPD does, the impact it has on facilities, the way they contribute to patient safety, and the knowledge required to do the job well. Many participants noted their disappointment in the perceptions that SPD are “dish washers” and that their work is effectively entry-level, despite the certifications, education, and experience that contributes to successful execution of SPD’s responsibilities.   Interested in getting more insights from the 2024 Sterile Processing State of the Industry Report? Check out other blog posts detailing results from the report ahead of its 10.1.24 publishing!

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