#IamMGH - Meet Adela Capuso

#IamMGH tells the stories of our people. Meet Adela Capuso, medical devices reprocessing department (MDRD) technician at Michael Garron Hospital (MGH).

“I started my journey at MGH in 2004. As a technician, it’s my job to clean, sterilize, build and wrap medical instruments used in clinical procedures at MGH. I am responsible for making sure that each piece of equipment is safe to be used in patient care.

Cleaning protocols within our department are very rigorous and have not been altered much due to COVID-19. Everything continues to get sterilized based on very stringent standards. What has changed however is that in addition to our normal instrument cleaning, we are also responsible for cleaning the visors and goggles that are protecting my colleagues on the frontlines during the pandemic.

After each shift, dirty visors and goggles are washed, inspected and subsequently wiped down with alcohol and peroxide to avoid watermarks which may impede a clinician’s vision. Approximately 700-1000 visors are used at MGH each and every day and are being cleaned around the clock.

With increased demands for cleaning across the facility, my colleagues and I in the MDRD have also been called upon for our expertise to assist the environmental services department with the disinfection of high touch services in clinical areas.

Working outside my typical role and department is certainly outside of my comfort zone but I know it something that must be done to protect patients, staff and the community. It’s important that I lend a hand wherever possible to stop the spread of this deadly virus.”