The Theatre Sterile Supply Unit (TSSU)

Story by Sherine Atieno and Photos by Ondari Ogega The Theatre Sterile Supply Unit (TSSU) at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) is a critical support department that underpins safe surgical practice across the institution. The unit is responsible for sterilizing and supplying all surgical instruments and consumables used in the Main Theatre and Maternity Theatre, where both major and minor procedures are performed. Its services extend beyond the two theatres to Accident and Emergency, special clinics, all inpatient wards, and the hospital’s sister facilities, Prime Care Centre and Victoria Annex. The department operates under the leadership of Ms. Scholastica Appida, the In-Charge, who oversees daily sterilization processes, quality assurance, and coordination with user departments. Every instrument used for surgery or delivery within the hospital passes through TSSU, placing the unit at the center of infection prevention and control efforts. The department functions 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ensuring uninterrupted support for routine and emergency procedures. With a staff establishment of 13 personnel, TSSU manages a high workload despite limited human resources. Core functions include folding and cutting gauze using a gauze cutter, preparing surgical gowns, assembling maternity packs, suture packs, biopsy packs, and packaging all surgical materials. After thorough sterilization, instruments are wrapped in linen and stored in a designated sterile area awaiting dispatch to the respective departments. Workload increases significantly during specialized medical camps such as neurosurgical and laparoscopic camps, which demand rapid instrument turnover and strict adherence to sterilization timelines. Emergency cases similarly intensify operational pressure, requiring efficient coordination to prevent delays in patient care. Although supplies are sourced from the main hospital store, sterilization, packaging, and distribution remain the sole responsibility of TSSU. The department’s performance directly affects theatre efficiency, clinical outcomes, and overall patient safety at JOOTRH.

The Theatre Sterile Supply Unit (TSSU)

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