MCH upgrades surgical services equipment and instruments

For The Madera Tribune

Reyes Mendoza, Central Supply Technician, at Madera community Hospital, removes a recently processed load of surgical devices. The tape documents the cleaning time and temperature range throughout the cycle.

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After nearly five months of upgrades to the Surgical Services Department, California Department of Public Health approved Madera Community Hospital’s installation of new autoclaves and sterilizers.

The project was started during the COVID-19 pandemic when all elective surgeries were halted in hospitals. The two new autoclaves, using only steam to disinfect, are located in the central processing unit and two new sterilizers, using high pressure, chemicals and filtration, are each located within operating suites. at MCH

The upgrades complement Madera Community Hospital’s commitment to patient safety.

The full suite of surgical services were relaunched just one day after The Leapfrog Group announced, Madera Community Hospital received an “A” in patient safety for the Spring of 2021.

With upgraded and expanded instrument cleaning, the hospital also purchased nearly $500,000 in new surgical instruments.

“Although the timing was ideal to embark on the upgrades, the process took longer than anticipated,” said Cyril Rebel, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon and Chief of Surgery. “Madera Community Hospital has one of the lowest surgical site infection rates and yet, my colleagues and I are thrilled to have the added assurance in the safety of our surgical instruments.”

“This was quite a task for our team and during a very stressful time,” said Karen Paolinelli, Chief Executive Officer. “The pandemic has taken its toll on our Hospital. I thank all our surgeons for their support of our responsibility to provide the highest levels of safety for both our surgeons and our patients. Madera Community Hospital is ready to move forward with caring for surgical patients.”