From upgrades & enhancements to existing equipment, to new hospital department builds, Pure Processing helps medical facilities achieve three key objectives for their equipment investments:
1. Optimal patient safety outcomes
2. Enhanced operational efficiencies
3. Reduced costs associated with worker injuries & ergonomics, instrument damage, and infection risks
By leveraging our expertise and collaborative, partnership-first approach, we can help facilities protect their most important assets: their staff and instrumentation.
To learn about our full project capabilities, expertise, and approach, download our Project Capabilities brochure below to get started on your equipment journey with Pure Processing.
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2025 Sterile Processing State of the Industry Report: Executive Summary
Pure Processing’s annual report captures what sterile processing teams are seeing across the United States. This year’s survey includes 732 participants and remains 100% anonymous. Below are the major themes and highlights for 2025. About the participants Roles represented include technicians, managers, supervisors, lead techs, educators, directors or chiefs, coordinators, and others, with a near even split in GI experience. Certification levels remain high, led by CRCST, with many holding additional credentials. Entering the industry Pathways into SPD include moving from another department 28.83%, referrals 19.81%, pursuing SPD education 10.25%, armed services experience 5.19%, and job fairs 3.55%. The largest single group found an opening with no prior SPD knowledge 32.38%. Combined, 60.00% entered via internal moves, referrals, or deliberate pursuit of SPD. What SPD professionals enjoy about the work Respondents emphasized helping patients and making a difference, contributing to surgery and patient safety, hands-on technical work, teamwork, learning and continuous education, pride and purpose, and job stability. Problems departments face Top problems reported were Pay and Benefits 71.11%, Space 51.80%, Equipment 41.62%, Training and Education 40.72%, Work Culture 32.04%, Management 25.15%, Compliance 14.97%, Visual Inspection 12.43%, and Ergonomics 10.18%. What should be easy to fix Participants pointed to quick wins in Workplace Culture and Professional Respect 28%, Training and Education 22%, Pay and Benefits 21%, Equipment and Preventive Maintenance 12%, Communication, Teamwork and Management Support 12%, and Compliance and Standards 5%. Most important problems to solve Equipment Issues 22.70% topped the list of priorities, followed by Training, Education and Competency at 15.40%, Pay and Benefits at 15.00%, Culture and Work Environment 14.00%, Leadership, Communication and Accountability 8.80%, Space and Layout 8.60%, Staffing, Retention and Compensation 8.20%, and IFUs, Compliance and Policies 7.40%. Culture-related responses showed the highest frustrated sentiment share within this group. Departmental ratings snapshot Average ratings were Compliance 6.9, Leadership 6.7, Visual Inspection 6.7, Workflow and Processes 6.5, Work Environment 6.5, Technology 6.4, Ergonomics and Technician Comfort 6.3, Culture 6.0, and Training and Education 6.0. Several categories had double-digit shares of respondents rating them excellent, while poor ratings were less common. Education trends Top resources remain in-services 71.92%, HSPA resources 76.90%, publications 61.20%, vendor programs 34.74%, local chapter events 25.16%, social media 17.53%, and local colleges 7.47%. Influence matters: where an Educator leads, Training and Education scores are higher than where a Manager, Director, or Supervisor is most influential. Reported averages were Educator 6.5, Manager 6.0, Director 6.3, and Supervisor 5.8. What makes a department great to work in Five themes stood out: supportive team and camaraderie 40%, sense of purpose and pride in patient safety 34%, respectful and supportive leadership 26%, resources and reliability 16%, and growth, training and development 8%. Why people leave aside from compensation Top reasons included lack of appreciation 29.71%, management style 14.61%, physical demands 15.42%, lack of upward mobility 15.26%, work and life balance 9.58%, lack of accountability 9.58%, and the nature of the work 5.84%. Even so, 86.85% would recommend a career in sterile processing. Safety and injuries 41.43% reported being injured at some point in their SPD career. Common injury types included cuts and lacerations 17.4%, strains and sprains 8.3%, and burns 5.7%. Mechanisms included sharps handling 11.4%, lifting or moving heavy items 7.1%, and hot equipment or steam 4.1%. Record-keeping and AI adoption Record-keeping methods included pen and paper 35.58%, digital 15.22%, and a combination 49.20%. Compared to 2024, pen and paper usage dropped by roughly 4 percentage points, and digital rose by just over 4. AI adoption was reported by 7.85% of departments, with use cases spanning tracking integration, inventory management, inspection technology software, analytics and reporting, writing SOWs and SOPs, tray assembly, content creation, and task management. Looking ahead Participants expect continued pressure around Staffing and Retention 65.84%, Compliance, Guidelines and IFUs 49.59%, and Aging Equipment 46.77%, along with AI introduction 31.84%, instrument complexity 30.35%, volume 26.87%, and technology 26.04%. Thank you to everyone who contributed. Your input helps departments benchmark, plan, and improve. Click here to read the full report, explore all the insights, and earn 1 Free CE. 2025 SPD State of the Industry Report
2025 Sterile Processing State of the Industry Report: Actionable Insights
The annual Sterile Processing State of the Industry Report offers a powerful snapshot of what frontline teams are facing nationwide. With insights from over 700 SPD professionals, this year’s report is packed with real-world experiences and hard-earned wisdom. Based on these findings, here are actionable strategies leaders can implement today to drive meaningful change. Find great people where they already are Many professionals still discover SPD through internal pathways or personal networks. In 2025, 60.00% reported entering SPD by moving from another area in their facility, through a referral, or by deliberately pursuing the field. Meanwhile, 32.38% found an open role without any prior knowledge of SPD. Actionable insight: keep external recruiting active, but also tap internal departments and your team’s networks for candidates who fit. Build around what SPD pros enjoy most Free-response themes highlight why people love the work: helping patients and making a difference, contributing to surgery and patient safety, hands-on technical work, teamwork, continuous learning, purpose, and job stability. Actionable insight: reflect these motivators in job postings, onboarding, recognition programs, and career ladders to attract and retain aligned teammates. Turn the most common problems into focused projects Top reported problems in 2025 were Pay and Benefits 71.11%, Space 51.80%, Equipment 41.62%, Training and Education 40.72%, Work Culture 32.04%, Management 25.15%, Compliance 14.97%, Visual Inspection 12.43%, and Ergonomics 10.18%. Actionable insight: address one domain per quarter and publish a simple plan with owners, dates, and outcomes so the team can see progress. Quick wins the team believes are fixable When asked what should be easy to resolve today, respondents pointed to Workplace Culture and Professional Respect 28%, Training and Education 22%, Pay and Benefits 21%, Equipment and Preventive Maintenance 12%, Communication, Teamwork and Management Support 12%, and Compliance and Standards 5%. Actionable insight: standardize monthly huddles, set and share a rolling in-service calendar, update preventive maintenance schedules, and close the loop on suggestions in writing. Prioritize the “most important” problems first The issues participants said matter most for departments to solve were Equipment Issues 22.70%, Training, Education and Competency 15.40%, Pay and Benefits 15.00%, Culture and Work Environment 14.00%, Leadership, Communication and Accountability 8.80%, Space and Layout 8.60%, Staffing, Retention and Compensation 8.20%, and IFUs, Compliance and Policies 7.40%. Culture carried a notably higher share of frustrated sentiment, which suggests cultural problems can cascade into other challenges. Actionable insight: pair an equipment improvement plan with culture, communication, and accountability commitments so processes and people move together. Improve training outcomes by naming an owner Training and Education ratings are higher when an Educator drives the program. Where the Educator was named most influential, Training and Education averaged 6.5, compared to Manager 6.0, Director 6.3, and Supervisor 5.8. Action items: name an owner, protect time for frequent micro in-services, tie each module to specific IFUs or SOPs, verify competency, and share a simple “you said > we did” update monthly. Use department ratings to focus improvements Average ratings this year: Compliance 6.9, Leadership 6.7, Visual Inspection 6.7, Workflow and Processes 6.5, Work Environment 6.5, Technology 6.4, Ergonomics and Technician Comfort 6.3, Culture 6.0, and Training and Education 6.0. Actionable insight: if Compliance is strong but Training and Education or Culture lag, link education efforts directly to policy adherence and celebrate wins to reinforce culture. Modernize record-keeping and explore AI where it helps Record-keeping methods in 2025: Pen and paper 35.58%, Digital 15.22%, Combination 49.20%. Year over year, pen and paper dropped by roughly 4 points and digital rose by just over 4. AI adoption sits at 7.85% yes and 92.15% no, with use cases in tracking integration, inventory, inspection tech, analytics and reporting, content creation, and task management. Actionable insight: move from pen and paper to hybrid, then from hybrid to fully digital to make the transition easier . Pilot one AI-assisted task where you already have data, like analytics roll-ups or study guide generation tied to your SOPs. Reduce injuries with targeted prevention 41.43% reported being injured at some point in their SPD career. Common mechanisms include cleaning and handling sharps 11.4%, lifting and moving heavy items 7.1%, and hot equipment or steam 4.1%. Actionable insight: reinforce sharps handling, add lift aids or team-lift standards for heavy trays and carts, and review hot set handling procedures. Track incidents and share fixes. Prepare now for the next wave of challenges Respondents expect greater pressure around Staffing and Retention 65.84%, Compliance, Guidelines and IFUs 49.59%, Aging Equipment 46.77%, AI introduction 31.84%, Instrument Complexity 30.35%, Volume 26.87%, and Technology 26.04%. Actionable insight: budget for equipment replacements on a multi-year timeline, keep competency work tied to specific devices and IFUs, and plan change management around any new technologies. Click here to read the full report, explore all the insights, and earn 1 Free CE. 2025 SPD State of the Industry Report
Surgical Instrument Protection Starts at the Decontamination Sink
When protecting surgical instruments, many think about the prep and pack area or the case cart. One overlooked area? The decontamination sink. This early step in the reprocessing cycle lays the groundwork for instrument longevity, patient safety, and overall workflow efficiency. Why start at the decontamination sink The decontamination sink serves as more than just an early tool in the reprocessing cycle, it’s the place where frontline defense against bioburden buildup, corrosion, and mechanical damage happens. Instruments arrive from the OR at their most soiled state: exposed to blood, debris, and moisture that, if not addressed promptly and properly, causes irreversible harm. Improper soaking, poor handling, or insufficient flushing at the decontamination sink often leads to 4 big instrument issues. 1. Corrosion and pitting Surgical instruments are often made from high-grade stainless steel, which is resistant, but not immune, to corrosion. Extended exposure to blood, saline, or other corrosive fluids, especially without prompt and thorough cleaning, can cause the instrument’s protective passivation layer to break down. This leads to rust, pitting, and irreversible surface damage. Once this occurs, instruments may harbor bacteria in microscopic crevices and require removal from service or costly repair. 2. Stuck or stiff joints Hinged and ratcheted instruments are particularly vulnerable to build-up in crevices. If joints are not flushed and soaked properly, organic debris and dried soils can accumulate in these small spaces. Over time, this results in stiff movement or complete joint failure, jeopardizing instrument function and risking procedural delays or complications in the OR. 3. Retained bioburden Ineffective flushing of lumens and cannulated instruments, or inadequate scrubbing and soaking of complex devices, can allow microscopic debris to remain. Retained bioburden poses a serious infection risk and can compromise the efficacy of subsequent disinfection or sterilization. This is especially dangerous in minimally invasive or robotic procedures, where precision tools are reused across multiple cases. 4. Premature instrument failure The combined effects of mechanical damage, corrosion, and retained debris accelerate the wear and tear on surgical instruments. When instruments fail sooner than expected, departments face increased repair or replacement costs. This can also strain budgets, delay case readiness, and reduce the availability of backup instruments, especially in high-volume ORs. These issues affect surgical outcomes and result in costly repairs or replacements. How Decontamination Sinks Support Instrument Integrity A well-designed decontamination sink plays a critical role in protecting surgical instruments and supporting technician performance. Features such as adjustable height settings, integrated flushing systems, and defined soaking zones clean instruments thoroughly while complying with IFU requirements. Look for decontamination sinks that offer 5 features which prolong instrument integrity. 1. Instrument-safe soaking areas Designated soaking zones with clear boundaries prevent instruments from piling up or crowding in one basin. These areas should be sized and shaped to allow full immersion of instruments without stacking, which minimizes the risk of mechanical damage. 2. Hands-free flushing systems Automated flushing systems provide a safer, more ergonomic method for cleaning lumened and cannulated devices. Thorough flushing eliminates retained bioburden and removes blood and saline residues that can corrode internal surfaces. Effective flushing also reaches tight joints, preventing buildup that causes stiffness. 3. Enhanced visibility and ergonomic support Integrated lighting such as in-basin or overhead task lights improves visibility during cleaning, helping technicians inspect joints, hinges, and surfaces more thoroughly. Clearer views support more effective brushing, early detection of damage, and better debris removal while reducing eye strain and improving workflow accuracy. 4. Dedicated timers and compliance tools Built-in digital timers or soaking countdowns can be essential for meeting the strict time frames outlined in instrument IFUs, especially for enzymatic pre-treatment or manual soak times. Timers remove the guesswork and reduce the risk of under- or over-soaking, both of which can compromise cleaning effectiveness or damage instruments with extended exposure to certain detergents. 5. Silicone liner Durable, medical-grade silicone liners placed inside sink basins or on staging areas provide a cushioned surface that absorbs impact wheninstruments are dropped or placed quickly. These liners help prevent tip damage, misalignment, and other mechanical stress while also protecting delicate instruments from scratches that could lead to corrosion. Build a culture of instrument protection, starting at the decontamination sink Sterile processing departments that prioritize best practices take a proactive approach to instrument safety, starting at the decontamination sink to set the tone for the rest of the reprocessing cycle. Prioritizing this essential step helps reduce repair costs, eliminate workflow delays, and gives surgical teams confidence in the tools they use. While proper point-of-use treatment in the OR is the first defense in protecting surgical instruments, true reprocessing begins at the decontamination sink, where thorough cleaning and handling practices help preserve instrument integrity and support surgical success. Interested in learning about our solutions for sterile processing decontamination sinks? Contact us today to explore solutions tailored to your team’s needs.