When the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) released its latest set of guideline updates, one recommendation in particular stood out to us at VERDA: planning for emergency water supply in sterile processing departments (SPDs).
In the Guideline for Sterilization update (October 2024), AORN emphasizes that leaders must ensure safe water access for sterile processing during utility interruptions (Recommendation 12.8). The rationale is clear: without reliable, high-quality water, surgical instruments cannot be properly cleaned, disinfected, or sterilized — creating a cascade of risks for patient safety and surgical outcomes.
Why Water Preparedness Matters More Than Ever
AORN’s call to action comes at a time when extreme weather events, municipal water failures, and infrastructure disruptions are becoming increasingly common across the U.S. As Dr. Erin Kyle of AORN noted, “More and more we are seeing extreme weather impacting water supply across the country.”
For SPD leaders, this isn’t a hypothetical concern. A single interruption can:
Halt instrument reprocessing and surgical schedules.
Force rushed, high-risk decisions about backup water use.
Increase the risk of surgical site infections (SSIs) if water parameters are not properly monitored.
AORN references the importance of measuring water hardness, pH, conductivity, chlorides, bacteria, and endotoxins — the same critical water quality factors outlined in ANSI/AAMI ST108:2023.
ST108 and AORN: Two Standards, One Shared Priority
The good news is that compliance with ANSI/AAMI ST108 naturally supports AORN’s recommendation. ST108 requires:
Establishing a Water Management Program for sterile processing.
Routine testing and monitoring of water quality parameters.
Defined action levels and corrective responses when unsafe thresholds are reached.
In other words, a robust ST108 program not only protects your SPD during normal operations — it also positions you to respond effectively during emergencies, exactly as AORN recommends.
How VERDA Helps Hospitals Put This Into Action
At VERDA Water Quality Systems, we’ve been supporting healthcare facilities nationwide in helping them to build the type of resilient water management programs AORN and ST108 now call for. Our approach includes:
Risk Assessment & Contingency Planning
We help SPDs identify vulnerabilities in their water supply and establish backup strategies for when disruptions occur.Routine Testing & Monitoring
VERDA provides ongoing testing for hardness, pH, conductivity, chlorides, bacteria, and endotoxins — empowering SPD staff with actionable data and confidence.Training & Empowerment
We train SPD staff on when and how to raise concerns, ensuring front-line teams are confident in recognizing unsafe conditions.
Moving Forward Together
The message from AORN is clear: sterile processing leaders must prepare for water interruptions as a matter of patient safety. At VERDA, we see this as an opportunity for hospitals to go beyond compliance — not only meeting ST108 requirements but building true resilience against the unexpected.
When the water is compromised, your SPD can’t be. With VERDA, it won’t.
Want to learn how to align your SPD water management program with both ST108 and AORN’s latest recommendations? Contact VERDA today to schedule a consultation.