Keeping your surgical instruments clean and sterilized is essential, but it is not the only task related to maintaining the
instruments in impeccable condition – organizing them properly is also essential
for efficient usage as well as for preservation purposes. Here are a few tips:
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Establish procedures and
protocols for organizing backtables – the process should involve the
participants of the surgical process, such as the surgeons, the other members
of the medical staff. Provide surgeons with a preference card on which they can
note the instruments that they need for the interventions that they perform,
including any special requests Involve service coordinators as well – they can
communicate with surgeons more often about the instruments necessary for
specific procedures;
-
Eliminate instruments that are
not needed – having the right instruments and only the right instruments at
hand can be a life saver in emergency situations;
-
Ensure that instruments are
available in sufficient quantity – any instrument that is contaminated during
the surgery is removed from the operating room, so the surgeon might need
multiple clamps or scalpels during the same procedure. Make sure that the most
frequently used items are available in sufficient quantity to prevent any
problems;
-
Verify instruments regularly –
all instruments need to be checked to ensure proper working condition.
