Crothall Healthcare is utilizing a technology partnership with Ascendco Health to enhance sterile processing and patient safety across approximately 25 hospitals nationwide. By implementing a real-time tracking platform for surgical instruments, the initiative has increased defect visibility by 92% and reduced post-procedure non-compliance from a 53% baseline to approximately 13%.
The collaboration, which was first announced in 2024, focuses on providing hospitals with real-time visibility into the handling, processing, and sterilization pathways of surgical instruments. This data-driven approach aims to strengthen operating room readiness and standardize workflows in environments facing increasing surgical volumes and regulatory pressures.
How the Crothall and Ascendco partnership improves surgical safety
The implementation of the Ascendco platform has allowed Crothall Healthcare to identify and address sterile processing-related defects with higher precision. According to Crothall Healthcare, the partnership has led to a 92% increase in visibility regarding defects such as missing indicators, foreign material, and tray errors. This increased transparency supports targeted education programs for staff to prevent recurring mistakes.
By identifying these errors through digital tracking, the managed portfolio has seen a significant reduction in overall risk events. Crothall reported that risk events have dropped to less than 1% across its managed portfolio, with some specific facilities achieving performance levels as low as 0.4%.
Afif Escheik, the National Director of Sterile Processing Services for Crothall Healthcare, stated that reduced processing times help elevate the quality of service and the safety levels provided to hospitals. Escheik noted that the software allows leaders to intervene quickly when a potential issue is detected, preventing problems from impacting patient care or operating room schedules.
Brian Reed, CEO and co-founder of Ascendco Health, said the partnership is built on a shared commitment to excellence. Reed noted that the collaboration has enabled the two organizations to work together to identify process opportunities and elevate standards, resulting in meaningful reductions in risk events and strengthened compliance.
Reducing post-procedure non-compliance in hospital settings
A significant challenge in sterile processing is the handling of instruments once they return from the operating room. Crothall Healthcare reported that the Ascendco platform increased visibility into post-procedure non-compliance by 90.2%. This metric tracks issues such as instruments returned without proper pre-cleaning, items not kept moist, and components not returned to their correct trays.
Prior to the implementation of this technology, baseline data showed that post-procedure non-compliance stood at approximately 53% across participating facilities. Through a combination of improved visibility, staff accountability, and daily operational execution, Crothall has reduced this non-compliance rate by 20% year over year. Currently, the rate of non-compliance is steady at approximately 13% across managed facilities.
These improvements are tied to the ability of hospital leaders to monitor the entire lifecycle of a surgical instrument. When staff can see exactly where a breakdown in the cleaning or sterilization chain occurs, they can implement corrective actions more effectively.
Real-time data and its impact on operating room readiness
To manage large-scale operations, Crothall and Ascendco have developed customized dashboards tailored to the specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of the Crothall Sterile Processing Services program. These dashboards provide leadership with visibility across multiple facilities, allowing them to determine if specific sites are meeting or exceeding performance expectations.
The technology also supports customized technician workflows. These workflows are designed to help teams follow the correct reprocessing pathways, which helps avoid preventable errors during the sterilization process. This standardization is intended to ensure that instruments are always ready for scheduled surgical procedures, reducing the likelihood of operating room delays.
Andy Petrovich, National Vice President of Sterile Processing Services for Crothall Healthcare, said the collaboration has allowed the company to tailor technology-enabled solutions to the specific operational needs of its clients. Petrovich noted that Ascendco’s responsiveness to customization requests has provided unique benefits in data retrieval, resulting in more actionable information for hospital partners.
Why sterile processing innovation is critical for modern healthcare
Hospitals are currently navigating a complex environment characterized by rising surgical volumes, staffing challenges, and heightened regulatory expectations. Inefficiencies in sterile processing can lead to surgical delays, increased costs, and heightened risks of surgical site infections.
While the Ascendco platform provides critical data and structure, Crothall Healthcare emphasizes that technology is only one component of a successful sterile processing program. According to Crothall, sustainable performance improvement requires a combination of:
- Onsite leadership and technician training
- Process standardization and quality audits
- Production management and instrument inventory discipline
- Strong partnerships with perioperative services
The integration of technology into these existing operational models is intended to provide a higher level of data for hospital partners, allowing for the continuous application of industry-leading best practices. As surgical demands increase, the ability to maintain strict compliance and instrument availability becomes a central component of hospital operational efficiency.
Key Takeaways: Sterile Processing Improvements
- Defect Visibility: Increased by 92% through real-time tracking.
- Risk Management: Overall risk events reduced to less than 1% in managed portfolios.
- Compliance Gains: Post-procedure non-compliance dropped from a 53% baseline to roughly 13%.
- Operational Tools: Custom dashboards allow for multi-facility KPI monitoring and standardized technician workflows.
Crothall Healthcare has not announced a specific date for the next phase of the Ascendco platform rollout, though the partnership remains active across its current 25-hospital implementation sites. For further updates on healthcare operational standards, please monitor official industry filings and hospital administration reports.
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