Shipping Containers

When supplies arrive at our facility in cardboard boxes or other shipping containers, can we bring those boxes and containers into patient care areas and store them?


From October 2011 EC News:
The Joint Commission does not have standards that directly address the issue of shipping containers or cardboard boxes. With that said, shipping containers that are grossly contaminated should be segregated based on their condition and not introduced into patient care areas. Segregation is necessary not because of the shipping containers per se but because the condition of the containers could present a patient safety or infection control issue. Many suppliers provide their wares in distribution boxes designed for use in patient care areas, and as long as those boxes are not contaminated, organizations can consider using them.

Before allowing container storage in patient care areas, an organization should consider conducting a risk assessment (EC.02.01.01, Elements of Performance [EPs] 1 and 3) that looks at the following:
■ The supply loading and unloading processes
■ The appropriateness of bringing shipping boxes into patient care areas
■ The use of boxes that come out of the original, larger shipping box, are labeled with contents, and are intended to be used as storage or distribution boxes in patient care areas

Such a risk assessment should involve representatives from the safety and infection control departments as well as the primary users of the area being evaluated.

Although Joint Commission standards do not specifically address the issue of storage containers, many state departments of public health do have standards that outline requirements. In these cases, The Joint Commission (LD.04.01.01, EP 2) expects organizations to comply with other authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ).

In addition to AHJs, other safety-focused organizations have requirements worth examining. For example, the Association of peri-Operative Registered Nurses (AORN) has recommendations related to storing and transporting items to restricted surgical areas. For further information, see AORN’s Perioperative Standards and Recommended Practices (2011). For additional information specific to sterile supplies and related materials, refer to AAMI ST-79 (see section 8.9.2).