At the 2026 Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) Annual Conference in Baltimore, Maryland, a prevalent yet commonly disregarded issue was brought forward – scan fatigue in sterile processing departments. The discussion was led by Deannard Esnard, a seasoned sterile processing leader at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center, who has over 15 years of experience in the field.
In his presentation, Esnard touched upon the multifaceted nature of scan fatigue, recognizing it as a problem originating from workflow design as much as from staff engagement. He illuminated the reality of inconsistent scanning records, showing that there often exist ‘gaps’ in the tracking data, which led him to question why technicians are not uniformly scanning instruments during the reprocessing cycle.
A crucial insight offered by Esnard was the possible misunderstanding about the rationale behind scanning. Technicians may not comprehend why scanning is important, leading to inconsistent compliance, missed documentation, and a decline in traceability, all of which have severe repercussions not only for patient safety but also for regulatory compliance. Incomplete tracking details can impose difficulties on departments in responding efficiently to recalls, investigating infections, or validating adherence to protocols.
Moreover, Esnard accentuated the role of poorly designed or excessive scanning requirements feeding into fatigue. He gave an instance of redundant workflows leading to multiple scans, which frustrate technicians. He also observed that alerts integrated into tracking systems may often be disregarded, which can allow essential steps to be overlooked or bypassed, compromising patient safety.
Addressing these concerns, Esnard urged departments to reconsider their scanning processes. Rather than incrementally adding steps, he suggested a thorough evaluation of the scans, distinguishing those that are genuinely indispensable from those that are obsolete or redundant. He stressed on the importance of a comprehensive risk assessment of the existing scans.
From a leadership viewpoint, Esnard underlined the importance of accurate scanning data for sketching a true picture of the workload and, consequently, advocating for resources. Technicians should acknowledge that their actions contribute to broad organizational goals, including patient safety and process transparency. He further discussed the significance of professional development and commitment to sterile processing careers. Mentoring and continuous advancement were also highly emphasized topics in his presentation.
In the pursuit of optimising sterile processing workflows, more than technology, what’s needed, as Esnard signifies, is thoughtful design, staff engagement, and a clear comprehension of why each step is important. Addressing scan fatigue is a vital stride towards ensuring that tracking systems deliver as per their promise, backing up both operational efficiency and patient safety.