Mr. Charles O. Hancock

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  www.hpnonline.com/inside/2008-05/0805-PS-indicators.htm - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 5/1/2008    Last Visited: 5/14/2008  

  "A complete quality program must employ all three tools: physical monitors, biological indicators and chemical indicators," stressed medical device sterilization consultant Charles Hancock of Charles O. Hancock Associates Inc., Fairport, NY.
  
  While there's no way to truly validate whether a device is sterile - Hancock explained that the interpretation of the results "is a measure of the assessment of the risk of releasing a non-conforming product" - SPD and surgical services professionals are fortunate to have a wide array of process challenge devices at their disposal to give them confidence that the various sterilization parameters have been effectively met.
  
  "We should understand that the reason we monitor the sterilization process is to identify potential failures and thereby eliminate recalls by taking immediate corrective action.The biological and chemical indicators available today are more appropriate for our intended use than ever before," assured Hancock.
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  • Charles Hancock, medical device sterilization consultant, Charles O. Hancock Associates Inc.
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  Hancock: Over the last ten years we have seen significant improvements in our ability to monitor the steam sterilization process.United States' participation in the development of ISO standards for BIs and CIs has resulted in improvements to the quality and functionality of both BIs and CIs conforming to those ISO standards.
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  Hancock: SPD/OR Managers want timely and cost effective monitoring tools with which to work.
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  Hancock: To date, there has been very little data linking patient infections with the reprocessing of medical devices.Part of the problem has been the lack of infection control information reported by the healthcare facilities.
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  Hancock: The challenge for the SPD/OR professional is to sort out the fact from the fiction in commercial product sales.
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  Hancock: No. Objective sources are needed.
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  Hancock: My ideal sterilization indicator would be a bio-electronic device which would communicate directly with independent controls to monitor, record and control the process.

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  www.hpnonline.com/inside/2008-05/0805-PnP.html - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 5/1/2008    Last Visited: 8/23/2008  

  Charles Hancock, medical device sterilization consultant,
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  Charles O. Hancock Associates Inc.

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  www.hpnonline.com/inside/2007-04/0704-IC-Sterilizers.ht - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 4/1/2007    Last Visited: 4/17/2007  

  "This is such a dynamic industry," said medical device sterilization consultant Charles Hancock of Fairport, NY-based Charles O. Hancock Associates Inc.
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  "The problem is that the processing method device manufacturers provide often is not one facilities can use because the sterilizers they have in place aren't designed to accommodate those extended cycles,"Hancock explained.
  
  Exacerbating the problem is that many device manufacturers have increased the cycle time recommendations to meet European requirements (which are actively addressing prion issues, including how to best manage the risks of Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease and its variant form).
  
  "They're trying to meet European and North American requirements, but because there's a tremendous mismatch in terms of the process challenge being presented in Europe versus North America, it's essentially comparing apples to oranges," he continued.
  
  Advanced Sterilization Products' Sterrad NX System
  
  In the absence of refined recommendations from device manufacturers, sterilizer vendors and those that operate the equipment are scrambling for their own solutions.Although sterilizer manufacturers' efforts are admirable, Hancock said it's a classic case of putting the cart before the horse.
  
  "Sterilizer manufacturers are doing their best to respond, but the confusion is coming from the device manufacturers themselves.For this problem to be manged, the makers of these devices need to be the ones to address it."
  
  Hancock is keeping a close eye on "troubling developments" on the device manufacturer side that could create problems for facilities on numerous fronts.A number of device makers, particularly those that manufacture complex devices, are proposing and pursuing the development of dedicated cleaning and sterilization technology that can process their own specific devices, he said.
  
  "Obviously, if this comes to pass, it's going to be a nightmare for facilities in terms of space and cost," he said, adding that an equally disturbing solution may be device manufacturers recommending that they be the ones to reprocess some of these devices."It's interesting.

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  www.nycentralservice.org/seminar.htm - [Cached Version]
  Last Visited: 11/18/2008  

  Among the faculty we had world recognized and respected in the industry of Sterilization and Material Management speakers such as Nancy Chobin, RN, CSPDM sponsored by Getting/Castle; Steven R. Mayfield, BS, MBA, PhD, sponsored by American Hospital Association; Carole Van Antwerpen, RN, BSN, CIC sponsored by the NY Dept of Health; Jo Harbaugh, RN, BS, CGRN sponsored by Olympus America; Becky Frederick, sponsored by United Bio Tech; Marcia Hardick, RN, BS, CSPDT sponsored by Steris, Corp.; Ray Taurasi, MBA, CRCST, ACE, CHL, FCS, sponsored by Healthmark; Chuck Hughes, BS, sponsored by SPSmedical; and Charles Hancock, RAC, sponsored by Charles O. Hancock, Associates, Inc.

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  7/00 Are You Making These Sterilization Mistakes? - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 7/1/2000    Last Visited: 11/10/2001  

  Scrubbing is particularly overlooked with cannulated devices , such as endoscopes and other equipment that contain long , narrow channels that hinder scrub brush access , says New York medical sterilization consultant Charles O. Hancock , RAC.Mr. Hancock claims to have seen multiple occasions where personnel have just run water through an endoscope channel until it comes out without any change in color.Just because the water is clear doesn't mean that the instrument is clean , he says.
  
  Our experts recommend sponging and brushing your endoscopes inside and out , using a long , thin brush to scrub the channels.Be sure to remove and scrub all valves , and remember that certain channels on an endoscope may require special cleaning adapters.Also , when scrubbing any equipment , follow the manufacturer's recommendations when deciding what detergent to use.Our experts claim to have seen everything from hand soap to steel wool to Clorox used for scrubbing.
  
  Mistake # 2 : Failing to Follow the Manufacturer's Cleaning Recommendations.
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  There are still ways to get good information , says Mr. Hancock.The first thing you should do is go back to the manufacturer and press for the answers ; you can also network with associations and other medical centers..
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  Knowledge of the sterilant's concentration is usually poor , and people don't use test strips correctly or routinely , opines Mr. Hancock.
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  Mr. Hancock believes that you should either test your solution each time an instrument is about to be reprocessed , or you should only use single-use sterilants.
  
  Always sponge and brush your endoscope inside and out.
  
  Mistake # 4 : Improper Loading
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  Placing too many items in a sterilizer will decrease the reprocessor's effectiveness , cautions Mr. Hancock.When items are tightly packed together with a rubber band or even touching one another , instead of stacked side by side without touching , the sterilant may be unable to reach all of the surfaces that need to be cleaned.
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  The way you package can facilitate or interfere with this process , warns Mr. Hancock.
  
  The worst offense is to adopt a one-wrap-fits-all mentality.
  
  While it's true that stocking wraps in only one large size instead of multiple sizes would probably help keep inventory costs low , this can lead to inefficient sterilization.If a smaller item needs to be wrapped and you only have one size , your staff will need to fold the wrap over many times.This is wasteful , and it prevents the sterilant from reaching the instrument completely.

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  7/00 Are You Making These Sterilization Mistakes? - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 9/16/2000    Last Visited: 9/16/2000  

  Scrubbing is particularly overlooked with cannulated devices, such as endoscopes and other equipment that contain long, narrow channels that hinder scrub brush access, says New York medical sterilization consultant Charles O. Hancock, RAC.Mr. Hancock claims to have seen multiple occasions where personnel have just run water through an endoscope channel until it comes out without any change in color.Just because the water is clear do not mean that the instrument is clean, he says.
  
  Our experts recommend sponging and brushing your endoscopes inside and out, using a long, thin brush to scrub the channels.Be sure to remove and scrub all valves, and remember that certain channels on an endoscope may require special cleaning adapters.Also, when scrubbing any equipment, follow the manufacturer's recommendations when deciding what detergent to use.Our experts claim to have seen everything from hand soap to steel wool to Clorox used for scrubbing.
  
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  There are still ways to get good information, says Mr. Hancock.The first thing you should do is go back to the manufacturer and press for the answers ; you can also network with associations and other medical centers. Sue Kuhnert, Manager of Validation and Sterilization Programs for the New York-based Sterilization Technical Services, agrees.Many manufacturers retroactively form recommendations for older products, she says.If they have not already done so, ask them to.If they can not comply, tell them that you will no longer be able to continue using their products.That usually does the trick..
  
  Mistake # 3 : Failing to Keep Liquid Chemical Sterilant at an Effective Concentration.Knowledge of the sterilant's concentration is usually poor, and people do not use test strips correctly or routinely, opines Mr. Hancock.
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  Mr. Hancock believes that you should either test your solution each time an instrument is about to be reprocessed, or you should only use single-use sterilants.
  
  Always sponge and brush your endoscope inside and out.
  
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  The way you package can facilitate or interfere with this process, warns Mr. Hancock.
  
  The worst offense is to adopt a one-wrap-fits-all mentality.
  
  While it be true that stocking wraps in only one large size instead of multiple sizes would probably help keep inventory costs low, this can lead to inefficient sterilization.If a smaller item needs to be wrapped and you only have one size, your staff will need to fold the wrap over many times.This is wasteful, and it prevents the sterilant from reaching the instrument completely.

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  8/00 5 Ways to Streamline Sterilization - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 8/1/2000    Last Visited: 7/16/2001  

  Work with your physicians to consolidate the instruments you use , recommends New York medical sterilization consultant Charles O. Hancock.This will make it much easier for your staff to become familiar with each instrument and learn the nuances of sterilizing each device.
  
  2. Keep it moist
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  Maintain a policy on how to replace your solutions in the event of a long procedure , Mr. Hancock advises.Organisms can actually begin to grow in solutions when procedures last in excess of three hours.
  
  When the procedure is finished , leave the instruments in their liquid environment and transport them to the decontamination area.Always use an OSHA-approved covered container that allows you to remove the instruments without having to reach in with your hands ; this minimizes the risk of accidental sharps injuries.

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  AAMI News: April 2005: Sterilization Books Released - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 4/1/2005    Last Visited: 5/1/2005  

  "One of the most important things about the ST55 standard is that we've included the dental applications in this revision," says Charles Oren Hancock, RAC, president of Charles O. Hancock Associates, Inc. and co-chair of the Hospital Steam Sterilizer Working Group.

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  AGM reports - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 10/15/2005    Last Visited: 5/2/2006  

  Charles Hancock has also resigned and we thank him for his work on the committee.

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  HPNonilne.com: Infection Connection - November 2005 - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 11/1/2005    Last Visited: 2/25/2006  

  "If that weren't enough, there's also the challenge of having to increase [throughput] to meet the instrumentation demands of the operating room, and disassemble and clean more complex devices," explained consultant Charles Hancock, president, Charles O. Hancock Associates Inc., Fairport, NY.

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