Infection Prevention and Sterile Processing: Partnering for Quality, Safety and Survey Readiness

By Eva Sabet Ghabrial, MBBCH, MHA, MPH, CIC, HACP, CRCST; and Casey Stanislaus Czarnowski, BA, CRCST, CIS, CER

This article originally appeared in the Jan-Feb 2026 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine.

Infection preventionists (IPs) and sterile processing (SP) professionals are critical members of the healthcare safety team; therefore, it is prudent that they partner strategically to use their unique skill sets and perspectives to drive quality outcomes and reduce infection risk. Through a combination of experience and expertise, IPs leverage their organizational perspective to support staff across all departments in prioritizing patient safety. To fulfill their roles, IPs must spend time across the organization's departments, observing and auditing processes. The information gathered is used to improve processes, prepare for surveys, and inform policy development.

With time constraints and staffing issues being an all-too-common challenge across healthcare departments and disciplines, the need for interdisciplinary teamwork becomes even more pressing. Effective departmental leaders know that quality improvement, infection prevention and survey readiness are ongoing priorities. They also know that their IP partners can help them remain consistent in their specialized duties each day to ensure patient safety. IPs support SPDs and other specialized departments by promoting survey preparedness and identifying ways to improve processes. They can make the most of their time in these departments by adopting key strategies that increase staff buy-in and engagement.

Preparation and Communication Essentials

SPDs benefit greatly from regular IP visits and collaboration. IPs and SP leaders can make the most of this partnership by ensuring proper introductions, preparation and thoughtful yet focused communication. IPs and SP leaders who are new to their roles or to a facility can begin building those interdisciplinary relationships by scheduling an introductory meeting with staff from the other department. The meeting could occur during a monthly staff meeting or on a late-start day. Note: When scheduling an introductory meeting with SP staff, it is best to avoid a shift huddle, as huddles are often brief and occur in a sometimes noisy environment where employees are already facing time pressures. Time will be better spent if staff members can meet outside hectic work areas.

Whenever possible, IPs and SP leaders should schedule in-person meetings rather than virtual or phone meetings. IPs can benefit from sharing presentation slides with SP professionals to explain how IPs support the daily work in the SPD. The presentation can also explain the IP’s role in the broader healthcare system and how the IP department can help the SPD prepare for and excel during accreditation surveys. Similarly, SP leaders can use presentation slides to explain the SPD’s roles and responsibilities to new IPs.

After the initial introduction, IPs can work with SP leaders to schedule in-person visits to the department. Communication is especially important during this phase; IP visits should never be a surprise. Scheduling in advance, in collaboration with SP leaders, conveys respect and demonstrates understanding of SP professionals’ busy schedules. Visits should also encompass all shifts, ensuring that all employees receive the same information and understand the importance of shared goals and ongoing teamwork and collaboration between IP and the SPD. When SP professionals are informed of the IP’s upcoming visit and purpose, logistical details should also be addressed. If the IP requests permission to take photos during the visit, for example, it should be explained to employees that photos will not identify staff or be used punitively, but only for illustrative or educational purposes. This approach sets the stage for mutual trust and collaboration during actual internal audits.

During IP visits to the SPD, both verbal and non-verbal communication is essential to ensure employees feel at ease and able to speak candidly. An unspoken way to communicate teamwork and ensure adherence to proper safety and infection prevention protocols is for IPs always to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when observing work in the SPD. Wearing PPE reinforces the idea that IP and SP staff are on the same team, working toward the same goal. Engaging with employees where the work is happening is one of the best ways for IPs to learn and provide support. SP leaders should ensure that IPs have ready access to scrub/PPE and ensure that IPs and other visitors understand which PPE is required for different work areas.

Most importantly, those scheduled internal audits present a golden opportunity for IPs to explain the why behind each step of the process. This explanation can be provided after a survey-like question the IP asks a staff member, as part of correcting an observation, or, more broadly, through a presentation at a staff meeting. In understanding the why behind what they are required to do, SPD staff feel respected and valued as intelligent adult learners. Additionally, this concept allows them to better digest and retain the information for when they are surveyed by various regulatory bodies.

IPs are valuable partners to SPDs and other departments within the healthcare organization. Strong, ongoing interdisciplinary collaboration is essential for preventing infections and driving high-quality, safe patient care and other positive outcomes. Reaching that goal requires dedication and proactive involvement from IPs and departmental leaders, with an emphasis on teamwork, education and understanding.

Eva Sabet Ghabrial, MBBCH, MHA, MPH, CIC, HACP, CRCST, is an infection preventionist with a passion for patient safety and high-quality care.

Casey Stanislaus Czarnowski, BA, CRCST, CIS, CER, is a clinical educator for the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA).