Ascendco Health

Have you explored the dashboard module in Sonar? It was designed to provide a quick visual snapshot of your facility’s productivity over time, along with automated comparisons to help you track progress week over week. It also offers real-time updates on the status of your items, helping you spot potential issues early. For example, if you notice a large number of items waiting for assembly, you can quickly assess if more staff is needed. Stay tuned for upcoming upgrades to the dashboard that we think you’ll find very impactful. #Ascendco #SPD #Dashboard #Sonar #Vger

Another destination, another go-live! We are excited to announce that Gundersen Health has made the switch to Sq.Track! The team was eager to learn and adapt to the new system. We spent four days training them on all modules including advanced case picking and sterilizer interfaces. We are excited to continue to grow in this partnership and welcome Gundersen to the Ascendco family! To learn more about how you can adopt Sq.Track or Sonar into your department visit, ascendcohealth.com! #SQTrack #SPD #Training #Sonar #Golive

Healthcare facilities are struggling to retain skilled sterile processing department (SPD) technicians as more workers opt for higher-paying traveling roles over full-time, on-site positions. This employment shift is putting patient safety at risk. On average, traveling SPD techs earn over $62,000 - far exceeding the $16-$21/hr wages common for on-site staff. While travel jobs offer more flexibility and experience, they also require careful onboarding to ensure proper policies are followed. To attract and keep top SPD talent, healthcare organizations must prioritize improving working conditions, updating equipment, and offering competitive compensation and career development opportunities. SP techs play a vital role in infection control and positive patient outcomes - it's time to invest in this critical team. #SterileProcessing #HealthcareHiring #PatientSafety

The best vendors are more than suppliers—they’re true partners in patient care. 🏥 From maintaining regulatory compliance to ensuring top-notch data security, they go above and beyond to empower healthcare professionals. What sets exceptional vendors apart? Here are the key factors: ✔️ Regulatory Compliance – Safety and quality first. 💡 Innovation – Pushing the boundaries with cutting-edge solutions. 🤝 Partnership – Collaboration that fosters trust and growth. 🔒 Data Security – Safeguarding sensitive information. ⚙️ Technical Expertise – Deep knowledge that delivers effective solutions. 📞 Customer Support – Responsive, reliable, and helpful. #Healthcare #PatientCare #Innovation #DataSecurity #CustomerSupport #HealthcareVendors

In a Sterile Processing Department, staffing needs are constantly changing and require ongoing attention. Regularly reviewing and adjusting staffing allocations allows hospitals to ensure that personnel are placed where they are most needed, particularly in areas with the highest backlogs. This proactive approach not only enhances efficiency but also supports smoother workflows, ultimately improving patient care and outcomes.

One of the most frustrating struggles that Sterile Processing leaders face is determining (and justifying) the amount of staff needed to run the department. In today's Ascendco Analytics, we'll take a look at right-sizing the number of FTE's in a Sterile Processing department. In this example, we're examining the number of FTE's needed per month, including a "backup factor" that accounts for PTO, sick time, etc. To calculate this number, we've seen an array of calculations used for a unit of service. The most basic UOS is number of cases, which is unhelpful because cases can vary so greatly (think of a urology case compared to a spine implant case). The next most granular unit of service is trays processed. This is an improvement from cases; however, we know that trays vary in complexity. Instead, our staffing model focuses on combining instruments processed with the other service requirements for the department (including tasks like case picking, decontamination, scope reprocessing, etc.). This, combined with the backup factor, provides an accurate number of FTE's needed to get through the day. Stay tuned for more insights surrounding how to target your analytics with our #AscendcoAnalytics series! #StaffingModel #FTEs #Sonar

We had the opportunity to speak with Sara Vinson, MBA, CRCST, Director of Sterile Processing at UF Health, about her leadership in transitioning to an offsite reprocessing center and how she leveraged data to drive more efficient inventory management. Her insights are a great example of using data to enhance operational efficiency in healthcare. 📈

We had such an incredible turnout for our 2024 Ascendco Super User Conference, we couldn't fit them all in one pic! To all attendees: Your passion for advancing digital transformation in sterile processing made this event truly unforgettable. From thought-provoking keynotes to hands-on workshops, every moment was filled with energy and innovation. This conference thrives on your insights and collaboration. Together, we're not just discussing change – we're actively shaping the future of healthcare safety and efficiency. Thank you for being the driving force behind our shared mission. Here's to the connections made, the knowledge gained, and the exciting innovations yet to come in 2024 and beyond! #AscendcoSuperUserConference

Managing staffing allocations for shifts and areas within your department can be challenging. Determining when team members should be in specific areas and identifying your peak hours can be difficult to convey to C-suite and financial executives. However, by tracking key metrics, you can gain valuable insights into peak hours and department demand, helping to advocate for appropriate staffing levels. 1. Go-live with Sonar 2. Review scanning and activity recording compliance by staff 3. Look at the dashboard module and analytics for peak hours of demand 4. Review the staffing model with your Ascendco Account Manager To learn more about how Ascendco’s staffing models can assist you visit, ascendcohealth.com! #Ascendco #Sonar #Staffing #SPD #Demand

Sterile processing technicians are dedicated to patient safety through precise instrument sterilization. These professionals fall into two categories: travelers and full-time staff. Travelers are temporary hires brought in to fill short-term gaps, bringing flexibility and diverse experience. However, they may face challenges adapting to specific hospital protocols and receive limited training. Full-time staff are the backbone of sterile processing departments. As permanent employees, they provide stability, in-depth knowledge, and long-term commitment to upholding a facility's processes and standards. Both roles, despite their differences, uphold the highest sterilization standards. They stay abreast of industry best practices, ensure meticulous attention to detail, and collaborate across departments. Together, they ensure that healthcare facilities consistently deliver safe, sterile instruments for patient care. #SterileProcessing #PatientSafety #HealthcareHeroes