Anaesthesia, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine - St Vincent's ...

St.Vincent’s Healthcare Group
T h e a t re Sterile Services Unit/
Central Sterile Supplies
D e p a r t m e n t
General Services Department
Service Departments
Service Departments
Service Developments / Activities
Staff
Telephone Services
Portering Services Department
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Early in 2003,the remaining decontamination and sterilisation
services provided to the wards and other departments in the
hospital by Central Sterile Supplies Department (CSSD), were
transferred to Theatre Sterile Services Unit (TSSU).The hospital
laundry service in St.Anthony’s finally closed its doors following
the retirement of Mr. Chris Mulhall who looked after this facility
for so many years. We owe a great debt of thanks to the long
serving members of staff in CSSD – Chrissie Salsi and Tina
Songhurst who left this year, Susan Hearne who transferred as a
Staff Nurse to Endoscopy,Terry Burke and Margaret Beyan who
have joined the Household team.Martin Kinsella has joined the
ranks of Ward Orderlies while John Byrne is now working as
part of the Purchasing/Stores team.Gerry Ryan continues his
stalwart duties for us here in TSSU.
In July, the first module of a computerised instrument tracking
system was installed in TSSU.This system has greatly improved
our efficiency and we look forward to the installation of the
remaining modules when we move to our new department in
2005.
Ms.Ita Balfe was a member of the specialist group tasked to
review practices relating to the Loaning and Borrowing of
Surgical Instruments and invasive devices between the hospitals
of the Dublin Risk Management Forum.Guidelines were
developed and circulated,with the aim of standardising practice
and assisting hospitals in minimising the risks associated with this
practice.
We welcome new members of staff who joined us this year,
Angela McAuley, Jacqueline Donnery, Dermot O’Shaughnessy
and Joey McGuinness.
Congratulations to Aileen Byrne,TSSU Supervisor, who
successfully completed the first year of a National Certificate in
Science (Sterile Service Technology).
Departmental Statistics
All decontamination and sterilisation of reprocessable medical
devices within the hospital is now carried out in TSSU. In 2003
approximately 57,000 instrument sets and supplementary items
were processed in the department.Despite the limitations of
our current working environment, a high quality service
continues to be provided,due in no small way to the great
effort and commitment of the TSSU team.
The Telephone Services Department provides switchboard
services to approximately 11,500 internal and external callers
per week.The department also plays a key role in our fire and
emergency response procedures.A team of twelve staff
members provide a 24-hour service.The department is also
responsible for maintaining internal directories for the telephony
and paging systems.
During 2003 the hospital continued to invest in the technology
required to provide a reliable and efficient telephone service
through the addition of a second main switch facility.This
provides greater resilience and redundancy and creates the
capacity to provide telephone services to the new areas within
the hospital re-development programme.
Security Department
The Security Service plays a central role in the management
and co-ordination of safety and security within the hospital,
including particular focus on fire safety management.
The hospital is committed to providing a safe and secure
environment for patients,relatives and staff through a
continually improving security service. During 2003 the service
benefited from investment in new facilities and technology
within the brief of our re-development programme.
We were greatly saddened by the untimely death of Mr. Joe
Flanagan,Security Manager, in July 2003. Mr. Flanagan joined the
Hospital in April 1998 and executed this challenging role in a
most professional and personable manner. May he rest in peace.
The Portering Department supports the activities of a variety
of hospital departments through the provision and supervision
of Portering staff.The areas serviced include Theatres,
Laboratories, Radiology and Patient Clinics.The current staff
compliment is 60.
In addition the department provides and co-ordinates wholehospital
services such as waste management,post and patient
transport.
Cleaning, Hygiene & Household Services
The hospital seeks to meet the highest standards of cleaning
and hygiene in support of the care of patients.The specification
and monitoring of cleaning activities is carried out in line with
best infection control practices.We also aim to provide a
comfortable and attractive environment for patients,staff and
visitors.
Cleaning activities are provided under a contracted service with
approximately 70 cleaning operatives and supervisors working
in close partnership with hospital departments.
Our Household function co-ordinates rest, welfare and
accommodation facilities for staff and patient relatives.It
is also responsible for co-ordinating and monitoring
the various service providers.
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