Celebrating our outstanding Sterilisation Services teams

International Day of Sterilisation Sciences (10 April) is an opportunity to acknowledge the important role our Sterilisation Services teams play in delivering safe clinical care.

Supplying clean instruments to theatres, wards, departments, and outside agencies, they contribute to the effectiveness and efficiency of surgery by supporting surgeons, anaesthetists, and perioperative nursing staff.

Clinical Nurse Consultant Surgical Services, Grace Loh said it was important to recognise the critical role of sterilisation services not just within our health service, but worldwide.

“The Sterile Supply Department (SSD) is plays an important role in patient safety,” she said.

“From the intricate inspection and packaging of surgical instruments to the rigorous decontamination procedures, every step is performed with meticulous care and professionalism.”

Ms Loh said modern SSDs were equipped with state-of-the-art technology such as washer disinfectors, automated flexible endoscope reprocessors, and specialised cleaning stations.

“Despite these advances, the dedication and skills of our sterilisation technicians are paramount in upholding the highest standard of care.

“Let’s use today to recognise the incredible work of sterilisation professionals.”

Get to know some of our Sterilisation Services staff

Gary Dobson

Gary Dobson is the Central Sterilising Service Department (CSSD) and Endoscopy Supervisor at Hedland Health Campus, where he has worked for the past 14 years.

He is responsible for the day-to-day running of both areas, including supervising staff, maintaining a full surgical service list, and maintaining all equipment used to process reusable medical devices.

Before moving to the Pilbara, Gary worked in theatre as an Anaesthetic Technician at St John of God Ballarat Hospital in regional Victoria.

“I came over for what was originally supposed to be three months. It was a sea change, simple as that,” he said.

“It was just a different pathway because I already held a sterilisation and infection control certificate but had never put it into practice.

“This position came up and I thought ‘I’ll put my hand up’, and here I am 14 years later.”

Gary said his proudest achievement with us was acquiring new equipment including two autoclaves (steam sterilisers), an ultrasonic cleaner, an automated endoscopy reprocessor, and two batch washers.

“Another goal I’m working towards is an electronic instrumentation tracking and scanning system used to track instrumentation throughout the department and the hospital,” he said.

For Gary, living and working in the Pilbara has been a career highlight.

“I love it up here and I’m proud to be providing an excellent service to the town of Port Hedland and the wider communities – 24 hours, seven days a week.”

Lesley Paszkowski

As an Advanced Skills Enrolled Nurse, Lesley Paszkowski has expanded her skillset working in both the theatre team and Sterilisation Services at Karratha Health Campus.

“I work in theatre as a Scrub and circulating Nurse, and also day surgery and the Post Anaesthetic Care Unit, and in CSSD and Endoscopy,” Lesley said.

“Combining nursing and sterilisation has been very beneficial as it makes me appreciate all aspects of the theatre department.

“I was working in aged care in Kununurra when my Clinical Nurse Manager approached me and suggested I might like the work in CSSD.

“Working in Sterilisation Services, I find it’s a good balance combining nursing and CSSD. I get to keep my mind active and thinking differently from day to day.”

For Lesley, International Day of Sterilisation Sciences is an opportunity to raise awareness and generate interest in the world of sterilisation.

“A lot more goes into it than meets the eye. There are a lot more moving parts than people realise and without staff to run it, or well-maintained equipment, it could bring a whole theatre department to a grinding halt,” she said.

Lesley, who has been with us for nearly 20 years, said working in regional healthcare had broadened her skills and made her a more versatile nurse.

“I’m fortunate to call Point Samson home and work with a great team that makes coming to work very enjoyable.”