From Good to Great: Building a Culture of Accountability in SPD

In the Sterile Processing Department (SPD), precision is not optional—it is essential. Our role is critical to patient safety, surgical outcomes, and overall hospital function. While technical knowledge, certification, and workflow mastery are fundamental, what truly elevates a department from good to great is one key value: accountability.

What Does Accountability Look Like in SPD?

Accountability in SPD means more than just completing tasks. It means taking ownership of every instrument that passes through our hands. It means speaking up when something doesn’t look right. It means double-checking a count, verifying an expiration date, and ensuring documentation is complete—not because someone is watching, but because it matters.

Each tray we assemble is part of someone’s life-changing procedure. Every time we pause to review an IFU, update a chemical log, or report an equipment issue, we are honoring our professional commitment to excellence.

Turning a Culture into a Standard

A culture of accountability doesn't happen by chance. It is built slowly and intentionally through:

• Clear Expectations: Everyone should know what’s expected—from decontamination to prep and pack, from testing PCDs to final load sign-offs. Standard work and training reinforce those expectations across all shifts.

• Consistent Communication: When leadership and team members communicate openly, issues are resolved faster, and trust grows. Morning huddles, email follow-ups, and team check-ins are essential tools that keep us connected.

• Constructive Feedback: We grow by learning from mistakes. When approached with professionalism and respect, feedback helps individuals improve and helps the whole team avoid repeat errors.

• Peer Support: A culture of accountability also means looking out for each other. If one person is falling behind, others step in. When someone notices a missed step, they speak up. It’s not about blame—it’s about pride in our collective work.

Examples from Our Department

Recently, we had a situation where a tray was flagged by the OR for missing a critical instrument. Instead of pointing fingers, the team reviewed the process step-by-step, identified where the miss occurred, and adjusted the workflow. A follow-up in-service was created to reinforce the importance of secondary checks before closure. That’s accountability in action: owning the error, fixing the root cause, and preventing recurrence.

Another example is our recent focus on chemical test strip documentation. By implementing a simple tracking log and assigning one tech per shift to check expiration dates, we’ve increased our compliance and reduced the risk of using outdated materials.

Why It Matters

Accountability improves patient safety, supports team morale, and earns trust from surgical partners. It’s what transforms us from workers to professionals. In an environment as high-stakes as SPD, excellence is not an aspiration—it’s a requirement.

But we don’t achieve it alone. We achieve it by holding ourselves—and each other—to a higher standard, every single day.