Cairn supports amazing Children’s Heart Surgery Fund

Here at Cairn Technology, we are delighted to have raised £2,300 for the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF) since starting to donate in November 2021.

We are very proud to be supporting this amazing charity, as it provides life-saving medical equipment for the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit (LCHU), as well as parent accommodation for families, and vital ward resources.

In addition, the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund also funds staff training, scientific research, and new clinical roles.

Major requests for funding are reviewed by the board of trustees, which has awarded over £10 million in grants to the LCHU and the region’s supporting hospitals, helping countless congenital heart disease patients and their families.

Why and how we support CHSF

We have a strong personal connection with the charity, as one of our staff members has a daughter who was treated at the Heart Unit.

We will be funding vital equipment for the charity, as well as making contributions throughout the year to Bella’s INR home testing kit.

These kits reduce stress and allow a patient to test their blood levels themselves at home without missing school for hospital appointments.

Why help this children’s charity?

CHSF are wholly funded by donations from the public and business. So far, those donations have enabled the charity to help over 17,000 babies, children and adults living with congenital heart disease (CHD) each year.

So, if you are looking to support a children’s charity, this one should definitely be at the top of your list. And there are so many ways that you can get involved!

To get started, why not order a free fundraising pack which will give you plenty of fundraising ideas. Or if you already have your fundraising idea, you will need to register.

You can also find out about the various scheduled CHSF fundraising events at this link: https://www.chsf.org.uk/events/

 

 

 

Green Theatre Checklist Explained – How to Make Your Theatre More Environmentally Friendly

The Intercollegiate Green Theatre Checklist was developed by a number of UK and Ireland surgical colleges. It provides some guidelines for how operating theatres can cut down on their carbon emissions and work towards sustainability in healthcare.

In this post we’ll provide an essential overview of the Green Theatre Checklist, and the guidance it contains.

A Brief Introduction to the Green Theatre Checklist

Studies show that surgery is a carbon intensive process. A single operation is estimated to generate up to 170kgCO2e, which is about the same as driving 450 miles in a petrol car.

The Green Theatre Checklist is divided into four sections:

  • Anaesthetic care
  • Surgery preparation
  • Intraoperative practice
  • Postoperative measures

Each section contains a number of guidelines and policies to support surgical teams in working towards better environmental, social, and economic impacts.

How To Make Operating Theatres More Environmentally Friendly

Below we’ll provide a quick overview of the guidelines contained within each section of the Green Theatre Checklist.

Anaesthetic Care

  • Source anaesthesia from your local area wherever possible.
  • Limit your Nitrous Oxide use to specific cases, and regularly check your equipment for possible leaks.
  • For inhalation anaesthesia, use sevoflurane instead of isoflurane, as it has a lower “global warming potential”.
  • Switch to reusable equipment wherever possible (such as laryngoscopes, underbody heaters, slide sheets, and trays.)
  • Minimise your drug waste. Introduce the policy: “Don’t open it unless you need it.”

Surgery Preparation

  • Switch to reusable textiles wherever possible, including theatre hats, sterile gowns, patient drapes, and trolley covers.
  • Reduce your water and energy consumption. Install automatic or pedal controlled water taps and adopt a “rub not scrub” approach: After your first water scrub of the day, use alcohol rub for all subsequent hand hygiene procedures.
  • Avoid clinically unnecessary interventions, such as the use of antibiotics and catheterisation.

Intraoperative Practice

  • Review and rationalise your surgeon preference lists, your single-use surgical packs, and your instrument sets. In each case, separate the essential vs. the optional, identify the surplus, and only open what you need when you need it.
  • Avoid any unnecessary equipment, again taking the approach: “Don’t open it unless you need it.”
  • Switch to reusable, hybrid, or remanufactured equipment wherever possible.
  • Switch to low carbon alternatives wherever appropriate (e.g., skin sutures instead of clips).

Postoperative Measures

  • Recycle wherever possible or use the lowest carbon appropriate waste streams. Use domestic or recycling waste streams for all packaging and use the non-infectious waste streams unless there’s a clear risk of infection.
  • Encourage active equipment maintenance and aim to repair damaged reusable equipment rather than replacing it.
  • When the theatre’s not in use, turn off all lights, computers, ventilation, and temperature control.

Access the Full Green Theatre Checklist

For more, you can access and download the full Intercollegiate Green Theatre Checklist.

Disclaimer – Infection Control Procedures

Bear in mind that these are just suggestions. They should not override your existing policies and procedures.

For example, working towards a green theatre should not come at the expense of infection prevention and control. Standard Infection Control Precautions and most PPE guidelines stress the importance of using disposable products so as to reduce the chances of cross-infection.

In this way, the Green Theatre Checklist seems to contradict infection control guidelines, as the checklist recommends switching to reusable equipment wherever possible.

As an operating theatre manager, you’ll have to carry out a thorough risk assessment so as to ensure that none of your Green Theatre policies compromise your infection prevention and control measures.

Help for Operating Theatre Managers

At Cairn Technology, we specialise in helping operating theatre managers improve efficiency, surgical outcomes, and staff and patient safety.

Find out more about our products and services for hospitals.

Or why not get in touch to talk to one of our experts today.

Healthcare Estates Conference 2023 – Come see us there!

The Healthcare Estates Conference 2023 is being held at Manchester Central this year from 10th to 11th November. And it’s promising to be a great event for estates and facilities managers in the healthcare sector.

We’ll be exhibiting on stand A57, so if you are one of our many existing customers for workplace exposure monitoring, personal sampling or chemical spill management do drop by to say hello.

If our name is completely new to you, we would also love to see you and talk to you about how we can help you.

Healthcare Estates Conference 2023 – What’s New
We are bringing a couple of new products with us to Healthcare Estates 2023 that are designed to help both staff and patients stay safe in the hospital environment.

Our Blueair Health Protect range of air purifiers are ideal for places where staff and patients congregate including waiting areas, meeting rooms, wards and restaurants.

Our Blueair air purifiers remove and kill 99% of viruses and bacteria captured in the filter. They also comprise HEPASilent technology which catches 99.97% of particles down to 0.1 microns such as viruses and bacteria. Just click here to see our full range: https://cairntechnology.com/air-purification/

Also in the spotlight at the Healthcare Estates Exhibition, will be our new Sundstrom Air Fed Hood kits. These are ideal for staff that cannot use standard respirators from our chemical spill kits. This may be due to not yet having had a proper face-fit test, or because they have facial hair which prevents effective face-fitting.

Click here for more information: https://cairntechnology.com/product/sundstrom-starter-kit/

What we can also help you with @HCEstates?

We can also talk you though our range of COSHH workplace exposure monitoring services and personal sampling for theatre, endoscopy and maternity departments. Or help you to find the right chemical spill kit and training for your needs.

Learning and Networking at the Healthcare Estates conference

Of course, we are sure that two of the main reasons that you will be attending the event are to tap into knowledge transfer and networking opportunities.

To find out more about these just visit https://www.healthcare-estates.com/ or click here to register to attend https://www.healthcare-estates.com/registration-2023/

We look forward to seeing you there!

 

6 Must-See UK Medical Events for Autumn/Winter 2023

Summer might be almost over, but there are still plenty of insightful and engaging events to get your teeth into this year.

Whether you are a consultant surgeon, a theatre manager, an estates manager, or anyone interested in digital healthcare and medical developments, there will be something in the months ahead worth popping in your diary.

Here are just six great events to whet your appetite:

 

BOA Annual Congress 2023 – 19th to 22nd September

Taking place from 19th to 22nd September 2023 in Liverpool, the British Orthopaedic Association’s annual congress is based around the theme of Sustainable Systems.

Offering lectures, debates, discussions and a focus on its training programmes, the event promises insights into a range of orthopaedic specialisms including spine, shoulder/elbow, foot/ankle and knee. To find out more about this medical event click here: https://www.boa.ac.uk/boa-annual-congress-2023.html

 

BAAPS 2023 – 28th to 29th September

Taking place on 28th and 29th September at the I.E.T London – Savoy Place, The British Association of Aesthetic Surgeons’ 2023 Congress will focus on Body Contouring & Facial Surgery.

BAAPS is a charity that aims to advance innovation, excellence, education and safety in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. To find out more about this medical congress click here: https://baaps.org.uk/about/events/1636/baaps_2023

 

Healthcare Estates – 10th to 11th October

Taking place in Manchester this October, this conference is the UK’s Largest Event for Healthcare Engineering and Estates Management Professionals.

With over fifty industry speakers and a host of presentations, workshops and networking opportunities, the event promises plenty of opportunity to engage with the issues shaping the sector.

There will also be 200 exhibiting companies to help you source a wealth of products and solutions. For more information click here: https://www.healthcare-estates.com/

 

Future Surgery – 14th to 15th November

Taking place at ExCel in London this November, the Future Surgery Show offers two days of CPD accredited professional development for the entire perioperative team.

The speaker programme explores topics such as global health innovation, disruptive technology and innovation in surgery. It will also look into human factors and research to support the transformation of the profession and the improved care and safety of patients.

With over 100 exhibitors, the event is also the ideal place to source products and services to underpin surgical excellence and optimise patient care. To find out more click here: https://www.futuresurgeryshow.com/

 

Digital Health World Congress 2023 – 29th to 30th November

Taking place in London this year, at the Kensington Conference and Event Centre, this 2-day congress is a great place to network with experts and thought-leaders in the field of medical technology.

With 25 keynotes and speakers, the event promises to deliver a wealth of learning and insights, covering topics as diverse as wearable health technology, immersive technologies, cybersecurity and much more. For more information click here: https://digitalhealthcareworldcongress.com/

 

BAPRAS Congress 2023 – 29th November – 1st December

Taking place at the Hilton Newcastle in Gateshead, this year’s Congress is subtitled ‘Interface’ in recognition of the vast working relationships that plastic surgery has with other surgical specialties.

As such, a number of different Associations and Societies are included on this year’s guest programme, including the BOA, BSSH, BOOS, BAOMS and many more.

In addition to the conference, there will be several social events, including a networking evening for potential fellows, and the Association Dinner. Find out more here: http://www.bapras.org.uk/professionals/training-and-education/bapras-events/bapras-congress-2023

Why not keep an eye on our blog and social media for more event news? We’ll be exhibiting at some of these events ourselves, such as Healthcare Estates and Future Surgery, so it would be great to see you there.

 

Why Is There a Shortage of Healthcare Workers in the UK?

The NHS is facing chronic staff shortages.

In this post we’ll discuss some of the problematic areas, and explore some of the root causes for the shortages.

Which Roles are Facing Shortages?

Nurses

Before the 2020 pandemic, the UK was already facing a shortage of around 50,000 nurses. In December 2020, the Health Foundation said that the government will need to exceed its target of 50,000 new nurses in England by 2024/2025 if the NHS is to fully recover.

General Practitioners (GPs)

Official figures in March 2022 showed that one in 17 doctors’ posts – 5.8% in total – are unfilled.

These same figures suggested that the total number of unfilled posts across health services had risen to 110,192.

Dentists

According to one report, at the end of 2020 there were 23,733 dentists providing care in England. By the end of January 2022, this figure had fallen to 21,544.

For more on the dentist shortage, read our full analysis of the shortage of NHS dentists.

Care Staff

One report suggests that 8.2% of care roles are unfilled. This amounts to a shortage of around 100,000 carers. A shortage of carers mean that many patients are “stuck” in hospital. They cannot be discharged because there isn’t the care staff to support them outside of hospital.

So a shortage of care workers will worsen the wider crisis in healthcare through limiting the number of hospital beds available.

What’s Causing The Shortage of Healthcare Staff?

A few factors are contributing to the shortage of healthcare staff.

  • The Pandemic – Most figures indicate that there were already staff shortages even before the pandemic begun. But Covid-19 compounded things, leading to an immense backlog of care. There may simply be more patients and more procedures than the workforce can manage.
  • Working conditions – Low pay, high pressure, and burnout from heavy workloads is causing many healthcare workers to quit. This is also why UK healthcare has seen industrial action in late 2022 and early 2023.
  • Recruitment – Regular news stories about the dire conditions healthcare workers face may discourage many from starting a career in healthcare. Brexit also contributed to a substantial drop in healthcare workers coming to the UK from EU countries.
  • Policies and Management – The government removed the nursing bursary in 2015. The Royal College of Nursing claim this was a key reason why nurse numbers dropped in the years leading up to the pandemic. Though the government would later partially reverse this policy, the damage may already be done.

What Are The Plans To Address These Shortages?

Official figures in October 2022 suggested that there have been slight rises in staffing across multiple healthcare sectors. But this increase in staffing will not be enough to meet demands.

Long-Term Workforce Plan

In November 2022, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt made a pledge for a long-term workforce plan for the NHS. This plan does not appear to have been published yet.

Cross-Party Coalition

There have been calls for a cross-party coalition to address the situation. The suggestion is a “war-footing”. Public buildings could be converted into pop-up healthcare services so that volunteers could relieve some of the burden on ambulances and hospitals. Retired doctors and nurses could be encouraged to return to work, and “private sector hospitals and clinics should be commandeered.”

But a trio of healthcare specialists have released a statement against such drastic action. They point out that any workers returning to the fold would face “a bureaucratic mountain to climb”, and that the current political parties are so dysfunctional that collaboration seems impossible.

In the meantime healthcare services across the country are facing fresh job cuts and fresh industrial action.

Improving Quality and Efficiency in Healthcare Settings

Whilst we cannot help you address staff shortages in your hospital, we can help you to improve staff safety and well-being, and reduce theatre turnaround times.

Get in touch to talk to one of our experts today.

 

The Link Between Adult Social Care and Hospital Discharges

The NHS is currently facing a significant backlog that shows no sign of easing in the foreseeable future.

As a measure for easing the pressures, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has discussed greater investment in social care.

In this post, we’ll explore the link between adult social care and hospital discharges. We shall explain how investing in social care may help free up hospital beds for other critical care patients.

How Can Adult Social Care Investment Free Up Hospital Beds?

Not all patients necessarily need to be in hospital to receive the care they need. Some patients can instead receive care in the community. Essentially, this means that they’ll leave hospital and go to either their home, a family member’s home, or a dedicated residential setting.

A care worker or nurse will then visit them routinely to give them the care they need. This might involve administering medication, supervising physiotherapy exercises, or simply checking up on them to see how they’re progressing following hospital treatment.

If need be, the care worker may refer the patient back to hospital to receive more intensive care or supervision. But in most cases, the patient can make a full recovery from the comfort of their own home.

Why Are Adult Social Care Issues Causing Hospital Bed Shortages?

Every patient receiving care in the community is a patient who is not taking up a hospital bed. This frees up hospital beds for more critical cases. It also increases the overall capacity of the hospital and its staff. This can make a difference to many of the crises the NHS is currently facing, from the backlog of care to the long ambulance waiting times.

How is the Government Investing in Adult Social Care?

During the 2020 pandemic, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) was committed to freeing up as many hospital beds as possible. They aimed to reduce pressures on the NHS and to ensure that there would be capacity for any COVID patient who needed hospital care. And they did this via a fund that would allow patients to receive up to six weeks of free social care upon leaving hospital.

In September 2022, there were reportedly 13,000 people in hospital who could instead be receiving care in the community. So the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care unveiled a £500m grant for adult social care.

Will This Investment Make a Difference?

Unfortunately, the adult social care sector is itself going through some tough times.

Vacancies in adult social care rose by 52% in 2021-2022. So even if the government pledges to fund adult social care, there may not be the capacity to handle the increased caseload this would bring.

The DHSC has also discussed launching a domestic adult social care recruitment campaign. But given how long it takes to recruit and train specialist social workers to provide care in the community, it’s unlikely that this will make a difference in the short-term.

Investing in adult social care is a vital step to addressing the NHS’s backlog, and the numerous additional problems it brings. Though as is usually the case, things are far more complicated than they initially seem, and we’re unlikely to see any noticeable improvements in the near future.

How Can Hospitals Manage in the Short-Term?

While this issue continues to affect practice, hospitals and healthcare staff continue to work to the best of their ability to deliver efficient and high-quality care.

We have been working with healthcare professionals for over 20 years to find solutions and procedures to help improve efficiency through infection control and air quality monitoring as well as by providing products to help improve turn-around times and patient outcomes.

Get in touch to find out how we help hospitals and healthcare settings control and prevent infection while improving operational efficiency.

 

 

Why Are Ambulance Waiting Times Getting Longer?

UK ambulance waiting times are bad, and they show every sign of getting worse.

Some cases have been so severe that they’ve made the news. For example, an 85 year old in Cornwall had to wait a total of 40 hours to get to A&E. This included 14 hours for the ambulance to reach her, and a further 26 hours before she was taken into the hospital. And even then, she did not receive treatment for hours.

This is an extreme case. But still, UK ambulance waiting times are long and getting longer.

What’s the Average UK Ambulance Waiting Time for Critical Calls?

The NHS sets a target response time of 7 minutes for critical calls. Through 2021/22, critical patients waited an average of 8 and a half minutes for a response. This might not sound like much, but it’s almost a fifth longer than patients had to wait in 2018/2019. Also, for critical patients, every second counts. An extra minute’s wait could mean life or death.

What’s the Average UK Ambulance Waiting Time for Non-Critical Calls?

For less urgent cases, waits have doubled over the past few years to an average of 3 hours.

And unfortunately, the situation does not look likely to improve anytime soon. Ambulance workers voted for strike action in early December 2022. Industrial action on the 15 and 20 December affected a quarter of frontline services in England, and nearly all services in Wales and Northern Ireland.

Scotland remained unaffected, as unions suspended industrial action to consider a new pay offer.

While there are rules in place requiring ambulance services to provide emergency care, these strikes  served to make a bad situation even worse.

Why Are Ambulance Waiting Times Getting Longer?

The main reason ambulance waiting times are getting longer is due to the immense backlog the NHS is facing following two years of government lockdowns.

Because of this backlog, ambulance services are facing an increased demand. And though the paramedic workforce has increased, absences related to poor mental health have increased from 5% in March 2019 to 9% in March 2022.

Plus, despite the increased workforce, ambulance crews have less capacity, as ambulances now have to wait longer with patients outside hospitals. According to one Health Foundation report, more than 10% of ambulances had to wait for over an hour outside hospitals in July 2022.

And because the whole service is stretched, even the smallest increase in handover times can result in a larger increase in the average response times.

How is the NHS Responding to this Problem?

The Health Foundation has issued a series of recommendations for addressing the issue:

  • Focus on handover delays. Increase hospitals’ capacity and flow-through with more beds and staff. Sunak’s pledge to invest in social care along with other out-of-hospital services could make a difference here.
  • Further increase the number of paramedics and address the causes of poor mental health in the workforce to reduce sickness absence.
  • Work to reduce the demand. This might be achieved through greater investment in community services, with an emphasis on addressing health conditions as early as possible before they require an ambulance response.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has claimed he plans to “sit down with the NHS” to discuss ambulance waiting times. He’s also announced that the government has put more money into the NHS, and more money into social care. The idea is that funding social care will allow more people to move out of hospitals and back into their own homes.

How Long Before Ambulance Waiting Times Improve?

Unfortunately, it’s likely that UK patients will face lengthy ambulance waiting times for the foreseeable future.

The NHS backlog is not going to get any better anytime soon. So there will be a high demand for services for some time yet.

Also, no matter what plans the government and NHS put into place to address the issue, changes won’t come overnight. And the strike action in December 2022 may serve to delay the implementation of certain improvements.

Get Help to Improve Efficiency and Care Standards in Healthcare

At Cairn Technology, we’ve been working with healthcare providers including NHS hospitals and care homes for over 20 years. We work with you to find solutions to help improve efficiency and standards through effective infection control, air quality monitoring and improvements.

Find out how we can help improve efficiency and care standards in your healthcare setting.

 

Absorbent mats for urology theatres and wards

Whether you want to absorb blood, urine or irrigation fluid during urology procedures, using a high-performance absorbent mat can avoid a lot of mess and mopping up.

Of course, there are suction devices that can remove liquids from floors, but these can often be noisy and pose a trip hazard, neither of which can be said of absorbent mats.

What’s more, some absorbent floor mats can be cut to size, to suit your requirements exactly. In addition, sterile mats can be placed under or next to the patient.

In this article, we look at three kinds of absorbent mat that can help provide a drier and safer environment for both patients and staff:

1. The T-Mat for urology theatres and wards

Designed for urology theatre floors to collect fluids during wet procedures, the T-Mat collects and binds liquids hygienically, wicking liquid away from the surface and turning absorbed fluid into a gel in only two to three minutes.

Able to absorb up to 8.5 litres of water or 3.5 litres of saline, the T-Mat is the most absorbent mat on the UK market. Measuring 75 x 36cm, it is a convenient size to be positioned on the floor where you expect any fluids to pool.

By locking in fluids, the T-Mat effectively reduces the risk of hazards such as slips and trips, whilst also reducing the time needed to clean up post-procedure.

In fact, its non-drip design means that you can easily dispose of the T-Mat in clinical waste with minimal risk of cross-contamination.

2. The DryMax XL for urology theatre scrub rooms

If you are looking for an absorbent mat that you can stand on whilst scrubbing up or performing a procedure, then the DryMax XL is the ideal product.

Designed with an anti-skid barrier layer, the mat stays in place while you walk on it. You can even cut the DryMax XL to fit an area, whether you do that with the individual mats sized 100 x 75cm or with the DryMax XL on a 100cm x 5m roll.

The DryMax XL is also highly absorbent. Capable of absorbing up to 2 litres of fluid, the it locks in liquids, preventing slips on wet floors. What’s more, its non-drip design allows for quick and easy disposal, with minimum risk of cross-infection.

3. The DryMax Sterile for urology departments

The DryMax Sterile is the ideal choice, if you are looking for an absorbent mat that you can place beneath or next to the patient during wet procedures.

Measuring 72 x 37cm, this disposable mat can absorb up to 6 litres of fluids and 2.4 litres of saline.

What’s more, having a non-drip design, it can be easily disposed of as clinical waste, ensuring a faster turnaround and reduced clean-up time.

Trialling absorbent mats for your urology theatres

If you would like more information on the above mats or to discuss your fluid management requirements call 0845 226 0185 or email info@cairntechnology.com

Hospitals are also welcome to trial a couple of mats for free to see how staff find using them in their own urology theatres and wards, so if this is of interest, please feel free to contact us.

Rising concerns over air pollution in city hospitals

If you are concerned about unsafe pollutions levels in your hospital then you are not alone. A recent study by Kings College London and the UK Health Alliance on climate change found that 60% of hospitals and NHS facilities in inner London are in areas that exceed air pollution limits.

What’s more, the environmental campaigning network UK100 has found that more that 17% of hospitals across the UK have unsafe levels of toxic particles in the air.(1)

The issue has become so serious that the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is working with ten hospitals in the most polluted areas of London to install air quality monitors that will measure levels of toxic air to help protect patients and staff.(2)

Whilst this initiative forms part of Sadiq Khan’s Breathe London project to help improve air quality in the capital, it is clear that hospitals in toxic hotspots across the UK also need to take action.

How we can help you

 

If you are looking for a way to remove pollutants trapped inside your hospital, we offer a range of Blueair air purification systems to filter the air in a variety of room sizes, from offices to waiting rooms and wards.

The range includes purifiers that can deliver 99.97% filtration efficiency, all the way down to particulate of .01 micron, not only capturing hazardous smaller particles like viruses and bacteria but also pollutants from car fumes and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).

To see our range of air purifiers for hospitals click here.

Helping you to create a Clean Air Hospital

With low noise, low energy consumption and high filtration efficiency, Blueair’s air purifiers can play an important part in the creation of your clean air hospital, as laid out in the Clean Air Hospital Framework.(4)

Developed in partnership by Global Action Plan and Great Ormond Street Hospital, this framework defines a ‘Clean Air Hospital’ as one that: “Improves air quality outside and inside the hospital by minimising sources of air pollution under its control” and that develops “a clean air action plan to improve air quality.”

If you are interested in discussing how Blueair air purifiers can improve air quality in your hospital, please contact our Air Purification Team on 0845 226 0185.

Why choose Cairn Technology?

Cairn Technology Ltd has spent two decades helping hospitals across the UK to monitor and improve indoor air quality in operating theatres, anaesthetic rooms and other areas.

Until recently the majority of this work has focused on workplace monitoring of hazardous substances to ensure that they do not exceed COSHH workplace exposure limits and help hospitals take effective action where they do.

In addition, we carry out sterile services cleanroom testing, bioburden testing, and the commissioning of hospital ventilation systems.

With growing concern over the impact of air pollution in hospitals, particularly in high traffic areas, it has become a natural progression for us to also start to help hospitals to tackle this problem and create a healthier environment for patients as well as staff.

References:

(1) https://www.uk100.org/10-5-million-hospital-patients-at-risk-from-toxic-fumes/

(2) https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/mayoral/mayor-installs-air-quality-monitors-at-hospitals

(3) https://breathequality.com/blueair-classic-605-review/

(4) https://www.globalactionplan.org.uk/clean-air/clean-air-hospital-framework

8 useful tips for surgical instrument care

High quality surgical instruments can be an amazing investment. Offering exceptional performance and durability, some studies have shown such instruments can last for well over 30 years.(1)

However, even the finest surgical instruments will only last if they are carefully handled, properly maintained and professionally serviced. Follow these 10 tips to help ensure your instruments last for as long as possible:

1.      USE AS INTENDED

Never use a surgical instrument for anything other than the purpose for which it was designed. By misusing instruments, you can cause irreversible damage by stressing the parts and damaging the surface.

2.      HANDLE WITH CARE

Poor handling of surgical instruments is a sure-fire way to damage them, so don’t start throwing them around or leaving them in unsuitable conditions. If you do, you may quickly find that your instruments suffer fractures or become contaminated and corroded.

3.      AVOID DRIED RESIDUE

Clean used instruments quickly to avoid any residue drying onto the surface. This is because, blood and other secretions can cause discolouration and corrosion.

4.      AVOID LEAVING WET

Once cleaned, make sure the instruments are dried properly. Instruments left in liquid cause a galvanic current that can lead to galvanic corrosion.

5.      AVOID MECHANICAL STRESS

Don’t stress an instrument beyond its capabilities as this can lead to misalignment of instrument parts. It can also cause tension or stress corrosion: the spontaneous cracking of instrument parts subject to high tensile pressure, such as screws and welded sections.

6.      STICK TO PROCESS

Make sure that routines in the Central Sterilisation Department are strictly followed. This includes ensuring that instruments are cleaned at the correct temperature, using the correct detergent and that they are stacked and dried correctly.

7.      CLEAN AS ADVISED

Always adhere to manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and sterilisation. In particular, it is important to stick to dosage and duration guidelines for the detergent you are using.

8.      AVOID POOR SERVICING

Always use a certified repair facility, as inexpert servicing can ruin valuable instruments. By having your surgical instruments professionally inspected, refurbished and realigned, you can help ensure that they are restored to top condition.

If you found the above tips useful, you can click here to view and download our handy infographic for surgical instrument care. 

WANT MORE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT CARE TIPS?

For ongoing tips on how to maintain your valuable surgical instruments just click here and follow our LinkedIn page. As well as tips on instrument care, we also post news on upcoming surgical events, advances in surgical technology and new product updates.

REFERENCES:

(1)   Dahl G, Ölveback T, Wiklung L. Quality surgical instruments best investment. Presented: SEORNA, Swedish Operating Nurse Association Conference Meeting, 29-30 November 2012