Behind the Scenes: Prepping Instruments Before Surgery at St. Cloud Hospital [VIDEO]

ST. CLOUD -- This week in our "Behind the Scene" series, we head downstairs of the St. Cloud Hospital into the Central Processing area where surgical tools are cleaned.

It's a tedious job for the staff at CentraCare health, who clean about 700 to 900 items a

day.

Stacy Solomonson is the Central Processing and Distribution Coordinator. She says once the doctors finish surgery, the items are brought down to start decontamination.

"We have a staff that will break down the carts and separate the items that need to be hand washed from the ones that can go into our washers," says Solomonson.

After going through the cleaning process, the instruments are repackaged into new containers.

"All of the boxes have a bar code on them listing what goes into each box," says Solomonson.

Solomonson says each box can hold about 150 or more items, and each tool needs to be checked.

"There is a couple of check points where people make sure the items are clean," says Solomonson.

Once packaged, the box is sent through a sterilization machine for about an hour and then restocked on the shelves ready for use.

"From start the finish, some trays can take 15 minutes, others could take up to three hours depending on what's needed," says Solomonson.

Solomonson says the advancements in technology has helped provide both doctors and patients with the best service.