Upgrade Traditional Wrapping Methods

Upgrade Traditional Wrapping Methods

Anazor F, Sibanda V, Altaf K, et al. (October 03, 2022) The Impact of Sterile Instrument Set Wrapping Defects on Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery Theatre Lists. Cureus 14(10): e29861. DOI 10.7759/cureus.29861

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Introduction

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a universally dreaded complication of any surgical procedure. The goal of this single-center study was to examine the issue of orthopaedic instrument wrapping defects with a focus on the importance of a high level of surveillance to enable identification of these defects in order to reduce the risk of instrument contamination. We also evaluated the impact on patient care, theatre staff, hospital finances and resource utilization during a defined study period in order to stimulate critical discussion and further research into potentially eliminating this problem via change in practice and advances in technology.

Materials & Methods

Sterile instrument trays or containers with the wrapping in situ are usually inspected visually for holes in either the inner or outer wrapping by theatre nurses who are trained and have the requisite skills to perform this. The visual inspection is usually carried out under ambient and/or theatre lighting. Tears involving the inner layer of wrapping imply a potential breach of the sterile instrument tray. In such scenarios, such trays were deemed to be contaminated and were rejected for the surgical case.

Defect types included in the study were all puncture holes, abrasions or tears visible to the naked eye irrespective of their size. We also included data for wet and insecure wrappings resulting in instrument set rejection. Holes can be penetrating in an inside-out or outside-in pattern and are usually caused by sharp instruments. Shear or abrasion-type tears are due to heavy instrument sets being dragged on a surface during transport or handling. Pressure defects causing compression of the wrapping usually affect the instrument tray corners and occur mainly during transport. Generic tears occur from other miscellaneous reasons during handling

ULTRA : Reinforced Sterile Barrier System

Complements or Replaces the Traditional Wrap & Packaging Methods in CSD

• Tested for up to 12 months (single packaging) to maintain sterility in hospital conditions (can be used as a dust cover).
• Reduces the risk of holes and tears during transport, storage and repeated handling.
• Compatible with steam and hydrogen peroxide sterilization processes.
• Packaging of and tray with Ultra can be made 4 times faster than a standard double wrapping
• Visibility of packaged items

The ideal packaging system for devices placed in full (480 x 250 mm) or half (240 x 250 mm) din sized baskets.

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