Student Visit to Nepal: Exploring Sterile Processing in Healthcare 🌍✈️

We are excited to share the recent experiences of one of our students, Valentina, during her internship at the BME for Global Health Laboratory. Valentina traveled to Nepal to explore the crucial processes of cleaning and sterilizing surgical instruments in low- and middle-income countries.

With the generous support of Arjan Knulst and the team at Green Pastures Hospital in Pokhara, Valentina engaged on fieldwork across both urban and rural healthcare settings. She visited a diverse range of facilities—public, private, and NGO-run—engaging directly with local healthcare workers in Central Sterile Services Departments. These interactions provided invaluable insights into how various organizational and geographic contexts influence daily practices in sterile processing.

Throughout her visit, Valentina observed a wide range of practices, but certain challenges were consistently apparent. Key issues included the absence of clear standard operating procedures, inconsistent training, and a lack of visual or written reminders of best practices. These gaps can significantly heighten the risk of healthcare-associated infections, particularly in resource-limited environments.

To help address these challenges, Valentina designed a series of visual posters outlining the five essential steps of sterile processing:

1. Cleaning and Decontamination 

2. Packaging and Inspection 

3. Sterilization 

4. Storage 

5. Transportation 

These posters serve as effective tools—reminders for staff and trainees to adhere to safe practices and checklists designed to reduce human error. Visual aids like these are low-cost and adaptable, making them especially beneficial in settings where written guidelines may be lacking.

Despite the challenges, Valentina was glad to find that all the hospitals she visited were aware of the WHO Infection Prevention Guidelines. They have successfully integrated these guidelines into their practices, adapting them to meet the realities of their low-resource environments.

We are incredibly proud of Valentina for her impactful work and grateful for the warm hospitality of the Nepali people. The kindness and openness encountered throughout this journey made the experience not only productive but also deeply meaningful.