This study aimed to investigate the effect of the application of the FOCUS-PDCA quality improvement model in terms of reducing the distribution defect rate of the sterile packages processed by the CSSD. The FOCUS-PDCA quality improvement model was applied to analyze the causes of the distribution defects of sterile packages, develop improvement measures, and compare the distribution defect rates before and after the application of the FOCUS-PDCA model. Following implementation of the FOCUS-PDCA quality improvement model, the distribution defect rate of sterile packages decreased from 1.74 to 0.37% (P < 0.05). The FOCUS-PDCA quality improvement model can produce a substantial reduction in the distribution defect rate of sterile packages, ensuring the quality of sterile supplies.

This study aimed to improve and implement the central sterile supply department (CSSD) training program through action research and to evaluate its effect. The project was underpinned by action research. The problems that occurred in training were identified following scenario analysis, interviews, group discussions, and expert consultation to develop improvement measures. The training program characterized by CSSD was developed in the spiral circular process of “Plan-Act-Observe-Reflect”. After the two rounds of training, the CSSD nurses significantly improved their professional knowledge, skills, and satisfaction with training compared with those before improvement. The nurses’ overall satisfaction with the training and their performance improved. The implementation of the training program designed based on action research can improve CSSD nurses’ professional knowledge and skills and increase their enthusiasm for learning, laying the foundation for CSSD talent development.

Central sterile supply department (CSSD) is an important department in the hospital. It can ensure successful sterilization and nosocomial infection control. CSSD staff are often interrupted during cleaning, disinfection, packaging, sterilization and distribution. This study investigated nursing interruptions in CSSDs in China, aiming to understand the current situations and demands of CSSD training on nursing interruptions. It also examined whether there were differences in training on nursing interruptions among CSSD nurses with different characteristics, so as to provide a reference for developing CSSD training for nursing interruptions. A self-designed questionnaire was used to investigate the current situations and demands of CSSD training on nursing interruptions. A total of 2528 CSSD nurses from different levels of hospitals in different regions of China were recruited using convenience sampling during June to August 2023. A total of 648 (25.63%) CSSD nurses had received training on nursing interruptions. A total of 2149 nurses (85.01%) believed that it was necessary to conduct systematic training on nursing interruptions. Statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) in rates of CSSD nurses who received training on nursing interruptions were identified among the nurses with different genders, age, education attainments, length of service and job positions. The rate of male nurses who received training on nursing interruptions was higher than female nurses. The rate of younger nurses who received the training was higher than older nurses. Nurses who possessed a master’s degree or a doctorate degree had a higher rate of receiving training on nursing interruptions than the nurses who possessed an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree. Nurses with 1–5 years of service had a higher rate of receiving the training than nurses with a longer length of service. CSSD nurses have a high demand for training on nursing interruptions, but the current training is insufficient. Nursing managers should pay attention to the training of nurses with different characteristics. Training on nursing interruptions should focus on improving CSSD nurses’ professional skills, risk awareness of nursing interruptions and self-concentration ability, so as to improve CSSD nurses’ cognition and coping ability of nursing interruptions.

BACKGROUND Previous studies on professional identity, self-directed learning competence, and self-efficacy among central sterile supply department (CSSD) nurses are rare. We investigated the status of these 3 characteristics among CSSD nurses and offered suggestions, to provide a reference for CSSD talent development. MATERIAL AND METHODS CSSD nurses working in 45 hospitals in southwest China were invited to participate in a questionnaire survey in August 2021. The survey comprised a general information questionnaire, a self-directed learning competence rating scale, a professional identity scale, and a general self-efficacy scale. RESULTS The CSSD nurses' scores for professional identity, self-directed learning competence, and self-efficacy were 109.92±17.161, 125.77±21.316, and 26.92±6.633, respectively. For professional identity, statistically significant differences were identified (P≤0.05) for 3 factors: monthly income, reason for studying nursing, and reason for working in the CSSD. For self-directed learning competence, statistically significant differences (P≤0.05) were identified for 5 factors: age, hospital grade, type of employee, monthly income, and reason for working in the CSSD. For self-efficacy, statistically significant differences were identified (P≤0.05) for 3 factors: age, reason for studying nursing and working in the CSSD, and whether the CSSD nurses wished their children to become nurses. CONCLUSIONS The professional identity, self-directed learning competence, and self-efficacy of the CSSD nurses in this study were at the medium level. More attention should be paid to career planning of young nurses and improvement of their professional identity and self-directed learning competence.

Background and Objectives: Previous studies have shown that improving quality management in the central sterile supply department (CSSD) is an effective measure to control and decrease hospital-acquired infections. This study aimed to establish nursing-sensitive quality indicators for CSSD nursing in China. Methods: We drafted nursing-sensitive quality indicators on the basis of the Structure-Process-Outcome model, and then conducted 2 rounds of consultation with experts using a modified Delphi method to determine the indicators and scientific methods of measurement. Results: We identified five CSSD nursing-sensitive quality indicators. Recovery rates of the 2 rounds of valid questionnaires were 100%. Expert authority coefficients were 0.810 and 0.902, respectively. Kendall's coefficients of concordance were 0.168 and 0.210, respectively (P < .05). Conclusion: Evidence-based nursing-sensitive quality indicators for the CSSD were established.

During the COVID-19 epidemic, the central sterile supply department (CSSD) staff handled many devices, implements and non-disposable protective articles used by suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients. As a result, the CSSD staff may have experienced psychological stress, however, the mental state of the CSSD staff during the COVID-19 epidemic has been rarely studied. We aim to investigate the mental state of the CSSD staff and relevant influencing factors experienced during the COVID-19 epidemic. The survey utilising a general information questionnaire, Chinese perceived stress scale (CPSS), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), and Connor-Davidson resilience scale (CD-RISC) was conducted with 423 CSSD staff members from 35 hospitals in Sichuan Province, China. Data was analysed in SPSS24.0. Classification and regression tree (CART) was utilised to analyse variables and find variation between groups. A chi-square test was performed on enumeration data, and t-test and analysis of variance were performed on measurement data. The CSSD staff’s SAS score was 37.39 ± 8.458, their CPSS score was 19.21 ± 7.265, and their CD-RISC score was 64.26 ± 15.129 (Tenacity factor score: 31.70 ± 8.066, Strength factor score: 21.60 ± 5.066, Optimism factor scores: 10.96 ± 3.189). The CPSS score was positively correlated with the SAS score (r = 0.66; P < 0.01), the CPSS score was negatively correlated with the CD-RISC score (r = − 0.617, P < 0.01), and the SAS score was negatively correlated with the CD-RISC score (r = − 0.477, P < 0.01). The job position, age, and political status of the CSSD staff were the main factors affecting their mental state; for example, the CPSS score and SAS score of the CSSD nurses were significantly different from those of the CSSD logistic staff (P < 0.01). During the epidemic, the CSSD staff’s psychological resilience was at a low level; the anxiety level of the CSSD nurses was higher than that of the CSSD logistic staff. Therefore, more attention should be given to the mental health of the CSSD staff, including taking protective measures regarding the risk factors to ensure they can maintain a healthy mental state.