PDCA cycle-based optimization of laparoscopic instrument management in digestive surgery supply rooms

Abstract

BACKGROUND

With the widespread application of laparoscopic surgery in digestive surgery, the precise structure and specialized materials of laparoscopic instruments have increased the requirements for processing procedures in supply rooms. Current problems in instrument management, such as unstandardized operations, low efficiency, and unstable sterilization quality, not only affect surgical safety but also increase hospital operating costs. As a scientific quality management tool, the PDCA cycle has demonstrated significant advantages for continuous improvement in the medical field.

AIM

To explore process improvement based on the PDCA cycle in the management of laparoscopic instruments in a digestive surgery room.

METHODS

This study included 138 patients in the conventional group (January 2023 to February 2024) who did not undergo risk control using the PDCA cycle model. Between February 2024 and February 2025, 223 patients in the PDCA group underwent laparoscopic surgery after implementation of the PDCA cycle. The management process for laparoscopic instruments in the supply room was improved based on the PDCA cycle. The incidence of adverse events, detection of multidrug-resistant bacteria, patient infection conditions, instrument cleaning quality, and operating room staff satisfaction with disinfection supply room management were compared between the two groups. Differences between the groups were analyzed using t-tests and χ² tests.

RESULTS

After implementation of PDCA management the quality of instrument handling significantly improved. The incidence of adverse events in the PDCA group was 2.7%, which was significantly lower than 15.2% in the conventional group. Regarding patient infections, the total detection rate of multidrug-resistant bacteria in the conventional group was 8.7%, which was significantly higher than that in the PDCA group (3.6%). Assessment of instrument cleaning quality showed that the nonconformity rates in ATP bioluminescence detection, visual inspection, and inspection with a lighted magnifying glass were significantly lower in the PDCA than in the conventional group. Moreover, the operating room staff satisfaction survey regarding supply room management showed that the satisfaction rate in the PDCA group reached 83.9%, which was significantly higher than that in the conventional group (51.6%).

CONCLUSION

Implementation of PDCA cycle management significantly optimized the processing procedure for laparoscopic instruments in the digestive surgery department. This approach not only reduces the instrument loss rate and hospital operating costs but also improves efficiency and patient safety. The PDCA cycle appears to be an effective method for improving the management quality of laparoscopic instruments in the supply room and is worthy of promotion and application in medical institutions. Future studies should further explore the applicability of this model to the management of different types of instruments to achieve a more comprehensive improvement in medical quality.

Keywords: Laparoscopic instruments; PDCA cycle; Supply room; Digestive surgery

Core Tip: This study explored process improvement based on the PDCA cycle in the management of laparoscopic instruments in a digestive surgery supply room. The results showed that after implementing PDCA cycle management, the incidence of adverse events decreased from 15.2% to 2.7%, the detection rate of multidrug-resistant bacteria decreased from 8.7% to 3.6%, and operating room staff satisfaction with supply room management increased from 51.6% to 83.9%. The PDCA cycle can optimize instrument handling process, reduce hospital operating costs, and improve operating room efficiency.