Penn Medicine opens surgical supply facility

Penn Medicine recently opened its Interventional Support Center (ISC) in Southwest Philadelphia. The facility is the nation’s largest instrument processing and surgical supply preparation facility and the first such facility in Pennsylvania.

In the nearly 110,000-square-feet facility, staff will sterilize thousands of instruments daily in preparation for surgeries and procedures and then package them. These instruments range from scissors and clamps to advanced robotic instruments.

“The opening of the ISC sets a new standard for sterile instrument processing. It also marks a new approach from Penn Medicine,” Chris Pastore, ISC managing director, said. “By moving our processing operations from the traditional hospital setting to an offsite, dedicated facility, we’re able to increase efficiency in a high-quality, cost-effective way — all while keeping up with increasing demand. Plus, the ISC alleviates space at our clinical locations, providing the breathing room hospital departments need to expand services. For example, thanks to the ISC’s capacity, Penn Medicine has been able to dedicate more space to patients at the new HUP East hospital opening later this year.”

The ISC will combine instrument processing services from the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Hospital, and three outpatient facilities. It also will help minimize any redundant equipment across the health system.