By Chris Pennucci
Seventy eight percent of U.S. surgeons expressed interest in utilizing robotic assisted surgical (RAS) technologies with only 53% currently using this technology.1 This interest is driving growth in the number of RAS procedures, expansion of the types of procedures supported by RAS, and the manufacturers of surgical robotic equipment. Sterile processing departments must adapt to the increasing volume and complexity of RAS instrumentation reprocessing.
Correct reprocessing of RAS instrumentation is critical to maximizing usage of limited equipment and successful patient outcomes. Proper training is vital for success and begins with a good sterile processing preceptor.
Learning Objectives
- Identify traits of a good preceptor.
- Considerations when training staff on RAS instruments.
- Establish a plan for staff when they are working on their own.
About the Author

Chris Pennucci, BS, CRCST, CER is a Clinical Education Specialist for STERIS. He has been in the sterile processing field for 13 years as a technician, department coordinator, and department manager. Chris is also the past president of the Northern New England Chapter of HSPA. He holds certifications as a CRCST and CER and is a member of HSPA, AORN, SGNA, and APIC.

Critical Connections: Improving SP and OR Synergy
Sterilization Quality Control: Your Path to Protecting Your Patients
Ensuring Success: Become a Preceptor for Robotic Assisted Surgery Instruments in the Sterile Processing Department
Lost in Translation: Ethical Dilemmas in Medical Manufacturing Instructions
What Sterile Processing Should Know About Multidrug-Resistant Organisms (MDRO)
Making the Right Choice for Sterile Processing Consumable Stock Outages
UV-C Disinfection Technologies: How it works and what are the current applications for health care settings
The Differences Between Peracetic Acid High-level Disinfectants and Sterilants
The Mystery of Bowie & Dick: Alterations in the Vacuum on Your Sterilizer Throughout the Year
Meeting the Challenges of Endoscope Reprocessing and Documentation
Education Nation: Sterile Processing Quality Management Systems
Product testing: The overlooked 4th pillar of a robust sterilization process monitoring program
Importance of Water Quality for Medical Device Reprocessing
Mechanical Cleaning Safety: A Tale of Two Sides
Sterilization Choices for the SPD
When Is Disposable the Right Choice for SPD?
Education Nation: Sterile Processing Leadership Planning Sessions
How Safe Is Your Sink?
Sterile Processing Education – The balancing act between documentation and application
Moisture Absorption Devices….No This Is Not a Wet Pack Article
Positive Biological Indicators
Washer disinfector release for use after maintenance
Beyond the visual: The importance of quality cleaning verification programs
Education nation: Creating Sterile Processing Department SOPs
Cross out cross contamination in endoscope processing
What’s new in AAMI ST79:2017? A review
Healthcare soils 101: Identifying and removing them
Expiration dating in the SPD
The Science of Speed
The fantastic four: Sterile processing, operating room, quality and education
Ugh! Another wet pack. What’s a technician to do?
Sterilization quality control: Validation, routine monitoring go hand in hand
Manual cleaning – The critical human element
Water for cleaning medical devices
Can you afford to ignore obsolescence?
Automatic Equipment and Productivity in a Sterile Processing Department
External Transport of Medical Devices
Troubleshooting Washer-Disinfector Performance
Understanding Bowie-Dick Testing: Purpose and Usage in Daily Sterilization Practice
Understanding the Key Features and Benefits of Mechanical Cleaning Tools: Ultrasonic Baths, Water Guns, and Washer-Disinfectors

