To achieve the level of communication and collaboration necessary to uphold their objective, the infection prevention and sterile processing departments must understand the roles they play, according to an article on the Infection Control Today website.

"Infection prevention, sterile processing and even the operating room are part of what I consider to be the trifecta necessary to produce a quality product for our patients,"  Sharon Greene-Golden, sterile processing manager for DePaul Medical Center, said in the article

The article offers advice for facilities where collaboration is lacking between the infection prevention and sterile processing departments. The tips include:

• Seek some input when developing and revising policies. This will help “break the ice.” 

• Seek input if you are thinking about changing a detergent, a lubricant, or you are instigating a new sterilization process. 

Read the article.