Who are considered internal customers of central services?

Internal customers of central services are primarily the nurses and physicians within a healthcare facility. This designation is based on the nature of their ongoing interactions with central services, as these professionals rely on the department for the supply of sterile instruments, materials, and equipment essential for patient care. Their needs and feedback help shape the processes and effectiveness of sterile processing, making them key stakeholders in ensuring optimal patient outcomes.

Patients, while critically important, are considered external customers because they receive care and services indirectly provided by central services. Local community members also fall outside the scope of direct service users, as they are not directly involved in the operations or service delivery within the healthcare facility. Outsourced vendors are typically external to the organization and may provide supplies or services, but they do not constitute internal customers as they do not utilize the sterile processing services directly within the facility. Thus, identifying nurses and physicians as internal customers highlights their vital role in the healthcare delivery model and the importance of effective communication and service provision from central services.