Rethinking Sterile Processing Workstations

In today’s sterile processing environments, the “standard” sterile processing workstation doesn’t always cut it. Specialty devices, expanding robotic programs, new compliance demands, and limited space all require more than just a flat surface, plastic bins and a few outlets. That’s where uniquely configured assembly stations come in, and why more departments are investing in customized sterile processing workstations tailored to new needs.

What Is a Specialty Impact Table?

A Specialty Impact Table is a purpose-built sterile processing workstation designed to support specific reprocessing workflows, such as robotics, wrapped trays, low-temperature sterilization, and loaner tray management. Unlike general-use tables, these stations centralize tasks, tools, and documentation in a way that increases productivity, ensures compliance, and optimizes limited real estate. For departments feeling stress in any of these categories, a specialty table can provide immense value for workflows and processes.

Why Consider One?

1. Compliance Where It Matters Most: Specialty Impact Tables help departments comply with IFUs and standards, such as ANSIAAMI ST79 ,especially in processes like weighing trays, wrap inspection, and robotic packaging.
2. Focused Productivity: By grouping tools and tasks around a specific process, these workstations eliminate unnecessary movement and streamline workflows. Technicians can inspect, pack, seal, and document without leaving the station.
3. Space Optimization: With built-in storage, pegboards, pull-out shelves, and vertical walls, these tables take clutter off countertops and turn every inch of surface space into functional space.
4. Staff Enablement & Satisfaction: Ergonomic design elements like height-adjustability, lighting, and backwall pegboards reduce physical strain and help technicians focus on quality. Reducing foot traffic can also go a long ways to improving staff satisfaction with their work environment. Thoughtful design makes work easier!

Common Configurations for Specialty Tables

• Wrap Inspection Tables: Integrated lighting and wrap storage organizing wrapped items to one, central table. For departments reducing the amount of wrapped goods, dedicating wrapping to one table keeps other areas open for other inspection and quality assurance resources.
• Robotic Workstations: Dedicated heat sealer shelves, robotic-sized peel pouch storage, and lighting ensure careful, compliant
  

  

  packaging of complex robotic instruments. Integrate 4.75x task lighting and technicians have an all-in-one robotic workstation.

• Loaner Tables:  Scales, tracking system mounts, and task lighting allow better control and documentation of incoming trays. Keep vendors accountable and feel more comfortable with loaner processes.
• Low-Temp Sterilization Tables: Designed to manage accessories, indicators, and documentation for low-temperature trays and device packaging.

Design Tips for Building Your Own Specialty Impact Table

If you’re thinking about building or customizing your own sterile processing workstation, here are a few must-have design considerations:

• Start with your workflow: Map out the process you’re trying to support, and identify all equipment, tools, and materials involved. Your table should reduce movement and consolidate tasks. If it doesn’t, the table might be An inadequate solution for your department’s needs.
• Add targeted lighting: Inspection and packaging tasks benefit from 4,000+ lux lighting. Consider built-in LED or magnification lights or tabletop lighting for inspection of wrap materials.
• Integrate storage and pegboards: Go vertical. Use pegboards, bins, and hooks to store printers, indicators, scanners, and test kits off the surface but within reach. Leave the table space for your instruments and trays.
• Weighing made easy: If weight compliance is a factor, include a built-in scale or slide-out shelf scale.
• Ergonomics: Include a footrest, height-adjustability, and anti-fatigue mats to support technician wellness over long shifts.

Whether you’re getting ready to support a robotic program, tackling high loaner volume, or trying to optimize the space you have, a Specialty Impact Table could be the upgrade your team didn’t know they needed. With thoughtful design influenced by fellow sterile processing professionals and their needs, Specialty Impact Tables improve clinical, patient outcomes.

Interested in designing a sterile processing workstation? Contact us to learn how you can design, customize and integrate a Specialty Impact Table into your workflow.