Centralizing sterilization: Inside Northwell Health's new facility

When Northwell Health's Adam Boll first toured the Bethpage, N.Y., building that would house the system's new instrument sterilization center, it still smelled like the popcorn that was once poured out of the 110,000-square-foot space. Now, the former Hampton Popcorn Co. factory is what Northwell says will be the world's largest facility for disinfecting and sterilizing medical instruments, opening this month.

Northwell expects the 110,000-square-foot, $80 million facility will be able to clean 22 million instruments per year.

All Northwell hospitals and ambulatory sites used to clean their instruments on site, but the system's nine hospitals on Long Island and Queens and more than 100 physician practices will send instruments to the new facility. Boll, a Northwell vice president, said the central facility was their best option to “ensure the highest level of sterilization.”

The $80 million facility will be able to clean 
22 million instruments per year, working around the clock. Turnaround time to get instruments cleaned and back on site is 12 to 24 hours.

The system's nine hospitals and more than 100 physician practices will send instruments to the new facility.