Saving Effects Cost and Time in Nursing through Improving Sterilization Method of Inner Cannula

기관내관 소독 방법 개선에 따른 간호업무 시간단축 및 비용 절감 효과

Background : The purpose of inner cannula is to protect the upper air way and permit air to pass freely, in addition, to provide endotracheal suction, artificial respiration and to maintain adequate oxygen saturation. The tube needs to be sterilized for maintenance and cleanness of air way and for prevention of bronchospasm. However, it has been reported that there is no guideline for sterilization and many hospitals conduct their own sterilization methods, for example, once a day(13's general hospital), three times a day(The Catholic University of Korea ST Mary's hospital) or even no cleansing. Consequently, the QI team of our hospital suggested the SOP(standard operating procedure) of sterilization and evaluate cost and time effect in nursing. Method : 1) Benchmarking of 13's neurosurgery department of general hospital in Seoul 2) Investigation of test records of sputum culture from patients with intubation for tracheotomy 3) Check of results of O2 Sat. monitoring to confirm of maintaining opened air way Result : 1) Improvement of process: decrease of excess sterilization of inner cannula (from 3 times a day to once a day) 2) Cost effects: saving over 10 million won per one year 3) Providing better nursing: time effects (30 min a day) permit to conduct more nursing activities Conclusion : It can get Cost and time effects in nursing with improved sterilization method of inner cannula. It needs to do research on improvement of the monthly exchange protocol of outer cannula and provide supporting data for the proper exchange schedule. The result of additional microorganism detection from patients with new process needs to be evaluated further more.