Ideas That Work: Celebrating Successes Big and Small

Teams in sterile processing departments  are often tasked to do more with less, especially when surgeons push to perform more cases than the instrument inventory can handle and reprocessing techs are pressured to turn over sets in order to keep the day’s surgical schedule running smoothly. “We huddle as a team to game plan how to tackle upcoming caseloads and communicate via group text to ensure we’re all on the same page,” says Farris Williams, AS, BSHA, MHA, CRCST, CSPDM, manager of the sterile processing department at UC Health Yampa Valley Medical Center in Steamboat Springs, Colo. “When we successfully complete heavy-volume days with minimal to no issues, I celebrate the accomplishment with lunch and a team-building conversation.” During the talks, Mr. Williams shares inspirational quotes such as this one from noted philosopher Alfred North Whitehead: “No one who achieves success does so without the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude.” He’s also known to throw in a few of his own, such as,“Continue to be awesome and provide your best service to your community. You are greatly appreciated.” Sharing positivity supports and encourages the continued performance of best practices and builds morale among the team, says Mr. Williams. OSM