Tanya Stellges, a Credo Award-winning powerhouse in healthcare, looms large as an influential figure behind the operations at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Her determined efforts to rigorously adhere to vetted regulations, policies, and procedures for high-level disinfection and sterilization of medical instruments and devices have been instrumental in maintaining the safety of patients and medical practitioners alike. Her unwavering commitment to her role, relentless dedication to patient care and her colleagues, and her deep-seated commitment to consistent quality have been the key factors leading to her recognition with a prestigious Credo Award during the September Leadership Assembly at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
As the respected program director of high-level disinfection and sterilization at the Department of Infection Prevention under the aegis of Quality, Safety and Risk Prevention, Stellges, in conjunction with a lean but formidable team of two colleagues, oversees more than 14 sterile processing departments, 73 high-level disinfection sites, and a staggering 300-plus inpatient and outpatient sites. The comprehensive disinfection process involves cleansing used medical instruments and devices, using both chemicals in high-level disinfection to eliminate a majority of contaminants, and sterile processing for total removal of contaminants.
Stellges’ recent initiative has been leading a diverse group towards enhancing the tracking of GI endoscopes – a critical process given the potential issues during device reprocessing or in the event of a product recall. Collaborating with frontline leaders, IT specialists, proceduralists, she strove to gain an understanding of existing workflows and indulge in meticulous process tracking. Her advocacy for improvement and her role in formulating training to establish standardized processes throughout the health institution have resulted in impressive outcomes. Over 99% of endoscopes were reported to be compliant with tracking documentation in June 2024, testimony to Stellges’ leadership in fostering interdepartmental collaboration, standardizing practices, and minimising patient risks.
Stellges’ journey into the field of healthcare began in college, where she pursued her bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration with the noble intention of making tangible contributions towards ensuring every patient availed the deserved quality of care. Her intriguing initial encounter with sterile processing came through her husband, a surgical repair technician, post their relocation to Nashville. Since then, her career has been marked with growth and exceptional commitment to her role, from her early days at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center Sterile Processing Department in 2008 to her current role as an infection preventionist alongside the IP nurses. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly posed numerous challenges to her role, but it also strengthened her team and their camaraderie during the trying period.
Upon the pandemic’s easing, Stellges’ commitment to consistent quality led her to be entrusted with facilitating internal auditing to ensure uniformity in infection prevention practices across Vanderbilt University Medical Center. This facilitated her transition into establishing and directing a program specialising in sterile processing and high-level disinfection practices. As a subject matter expert in her field, her role extends to partnering closely with a variety of stakeholders across the healthcare spectrum, routinely conducting environment of care surveys to maintain compliance, and establishing sterile processing and high-level disinfection practices at new clinics and site acquisitions.
Outside of her professional sphere, Stellges enjoys embracing the outdoors most often by the water and spending quality time with her husband, three dogs, and a surprising collection of 10 city chickens. Embodying the Credo behaviors, consistently putting the needs of those she serves at the forefront, respecting privacy and confidentiality, she is a beacon of professional conduct and dedication. Stellges’ journey serves as a glowing testament to the immense dedication and passion required in the field of infection prevention.