Supporting Sterile Services Departments with quality instruments

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The role of Sterile Service Departments (SSDs) is critical to the smooth running of operating theatres across the UK.

The timely decontamination and turnaround of full sets of instruments that are safe to use and perform to their optimum ability is critical to the smooth running of surgical lists.

But unfortunately, too many SSDs and instrument managers are being hampered by underinvestment in quality instruments, leading to a number of significant issues.

Damaged or missing instruments can cause a range of problems, not just for the sterile services department, but also for surgeons and patients:

  • Surgical procedures can be delayed or cancelled.
  • Hospital stays may be extended, aggravating bed-blocking situations.
  • Interoperative instrument breakage can put patients at risk.
  • Inability to effectively decontaminate instruments risks surgical site infections.

 

A sizeable problem for Sterile Service Departments

An audit carried out by the ABHI on 2020(1) showed that out of 32,000 instruments checked at 48 hospitals, less than 20% were in a good enough condition to be used.

In fact, 31% of the instruments needed to be replaced, 32% needed to be repaired, and 18% had issues with surface finish, including corrosion.

Another report, by Efthymiou and AR Cale(2) in 2022 revealed that surgical equipment failed in 92% of cardiac cases, 80% of which were surgical instruments. The report concluded that there may be as many as 1500 incidents a year of patient harm caused poor quality instruments.

 

Cheap reusable surgical instruments

There are many makes of resusable surgical instruments that are made from high quality stainless steel, are designed for optimum cleaning and come with warranties lasting decades. However, there is no doubt that the cost of investing in these upfront can be significant.

Budgetary pressures can mean that SSDs and instrument managers are forced to order much cheaper instruments. Unfortunately, these often come with only a one- or two-year warranty They are also made with lower quality stainless steel and have a more rudimentary design. This in turn means that decontamination is more difficult and damage more likely.

High quality instruments in contrast are often designed to optimise performance, decontamination and maintenance, even to the extent that their parts can be taken apart during servicing, allowing them to be restored to their original levels of functionality.

 

Carbon Footprint Considerations

Investing in good quality instruments also makes sense for the NHS’s plans to attain Net Zero. The NHS Carbon Footprint Plus considers an expanded scope of emissions, covering the products procured from its 80,000 suppliers. Sourcing cheap disposable or reusable instruments from thousands of miles away is not a sustainable approach for the long term.

Short-lived instruments also lead to more waste, not only in terms of instrument disposal, but also as a result of the increased number of manufacturing processes involved in making them.

Of course, having safe and complete instrument sets can be enhanced through consistent auditing, maintenance and training, but sterile services managers and instrument managers can only do so much with the instruments that they are given.

As the ABHI 2020 audit concluded, “Investment in the replacement of aged surgical instrument inventory should be considered as a priority for NHS spending” and “The procurement of surgical instruments should be based on overall quality and value, with the demonstration of strong ethical and resilient supply chains recognised and rewarded in purchasing decisions.”

In this way, we can support our Sterile Service Departments to help ensure that instrument performance and availability is always optimised.

References:

Should You Avoid Chrome-Plated Surgical Instruments?

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Chrome-plated surgical instruments have long been a popular choice for hospitals. They are durable and highly resistant to scratching, pealing, flaking, chipping, and corrosion. They’re also easy to clean and sterilise. Plus, smooth chrome-plated surfaces can reduce friction, meaning that instruments move exactly as expected during delicate medical procedures.

If you have heard that the EU is planning to ban chrome-plating on cars due to certain health concerns, then you may also be wondering if it is safe to use chrome on surgical instruments?

What Are the Health Risks of Chrome-Plating?

The chrome-plating process may involve Hexavalent chromium, which is a carcinogen. It may also use lead. If lead gets absorbed through the skin, it can lead to organ damage, and even brain damage. Some chrome plating-processes also use cyanide, which is highly toxic, and cadmium, which has been linked to cancers, as well as kidney and lung failure.

Environmental Impact of Chrome-Plating

The various heavy metals used in the chrome-plating process, as well as being harmful to human health, are also damaging to the environment. There may be a health risk to anyone who lives or works near a metal finishing facility. And if the facility does not treat its wastewater, it can lead to significant environmental concerns.

Should You Avoid Chrome-Plated Surgical Instruments?

There may be certain risks associated with using chrome-plated surgical instruments, as well as the environmental impact of the chrome-plating process. While there is no current or up-coming legislation looking to ban the use of chrome-plated surgical instruments, there are alternatives available.

Surgical Instruments – Chrome-Free Alternatives

If you want to avoid the potential health risks and the environmental impact associated with chrome-plated surgical instruments, the good news is that alternatives are available.

We stock the Stille range of surgical instruments. This range includes the Stille SuperCut XE scissors which  are made with an innovative chrome free coating process. Instead of chrome, they use a thin layer of diamond-like carbon. This makes them reliably durable and highly resistant to discolouration. The coating is also validated to withstand the more common hydro peroxide processes, such as Oxivario disinfection and Sterrad sterilization. What’s more, their dark surfaces reduce reflections to help minimise eye fatigue.

As well as offering dependable performance and unbeatable longevity, the chrome-free plating process also makes Stille instruments much more sustainable. Going chrome-free is a good way to reduce the carbon footprint of your surgical instruments, and this simple choice can also contribute to making your entire theatre more environmentally friendly.

Get Chrome-Free World Leading Stille Surgical Instruments From Cairn Technology

At Cairn Technology, we supply one of the most comprehensive ranges of Stille surgical instruments on the UK market. Our range covers all surgical disciplines, including cardiovascular, thoracic, orthopaedic, plastic surgery, and general surgery.

With their chrome-free plating process, Stille’s SuperCut XE scissors can contribute to a more sustainable theatre environment. On top of that, Stille’s precision surgical instruments come with a 30-year warranty, which is much longer than most other manufacturers.

This is one reason why many of our customers have switched to Stille instruments. As they’re so durable, and offer such a long warranty, these high-quality hand-crafted instruments will not have to be repaired and replaced as often as other instruments. They therefore provide hospitals with a more cost-effective investment over time.

Click here to learn more about our range of Stille surgical instruments, or  contact us to discuss your  our chrome free Stille instruments.

5 ways to reduce the carbon footprint of surgical instruments

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Minimising the carbon footprint of surgical instruments is just one of the many ways in which NHS Trusts can work towards their Net Zero plans.

Whilst quality reusable instruments can have a larger upfront cost than cheaper reusable instruments or disposable alternatives, they can make a much bigger contribution to hospital Trusts reducing their carbon footprint.

This is because less waste is generated as fewer instruments need to be manufactured and disposed of.

So what 5 things can help you identify reusable instruments that will help you reduce carbon equivalent emissions? 

  1. Longevity of instruments

At Cairn Technology, we want to supply the very best surgical instrument solutions for NHS Trusts looking to reduce their carbon footprint. Stille instruments allow us to do this as they are warrantied for 30 years (1).

In fact, there are many recorded instances of Stille instruments being used for longer. One inventory in a surgical centre in Sweden revealed that 26% of its surgical scissors had been in service for up to 50 years and 74% were over 50 years old.

Stille helps maintain the longevity of its products by providing its own expert and comprehensive maintenance service. This includes the complete dismantling of instruments to ensure that they are properly inspected, refurbished and cleaned.

  1. Instrument design

Good instrument design is essential if they are to be long-lasting for minimum impact on the environment.

Handcrafted through over 70 individual steps and made from the highest quality steel, Stille instruments draw on the company’s 175 years of engineering know-how to deliver instruments that will last for decades.

A considered commitment to design has seen them develop a number of innovative instruments. These include the first SuperCut scissors, which use one knife blade and one scissor blade for precise cutting to the very tip, and the first double-action bone rongeur.

By choosing instrument variants, such as the Stille SuperCut XE scissors, which come with a more durable and environmentally friendly Chrome-free coating, you can go even further in reducing the carbon footprint of surgical instruments in your operating theatres.

  1. Ease of maintenance and repair

Clever design of Stille instruments has also ensured that they can be cleaned, sterilised, inspected and maintained effectively.

For example, removable joint screws in instruments such as Stille scissors and rongeurs ensure that they can be disassembled for thorough cleaning and inspection. This design also allows for the correct resharpening of scissor blades to bring them back to their original condition, ensuring even longer service in the field.

Another example is the Kerrison Stille Laminectomy Punch. Here the absence of a spring between the handles improves the accessibility for cleaning and reduces the risk of surgical gloves getting caught.

  1. Durability

You can ensure even greater longevity by choosing reusable Stille instruments that consist of metals that even outperform stainless steel.

For example, instruments with Tungsten Carbide in the blades or tips are stronger than stainless steel and can last up to five times longer.

Instruments with ceramic coating provide four to five times higher surface hardness than stainless steel, as well as offering greater resistance to rust and corrosion.

Whilst Titanium is fracture-proof, non-rusting and is entirely resistant to chemicals.

  1. Reliability

Failure of a surgical instrument immediately before or during surgery can not only risk patient health, but it can also lead to procedures being halted and postponed.

From an environmental point of view this is bad, as it then means that a lot of single-use consumables, such as absorbent floor mats and surgical gloves, will need to be disposed of, with more being required for the procedure when it finally takes place.

So investing in reliable surgical instruments can also impact on carbon emission reduction for a wider range of theatre consumables as well.

Want to improve your carbon footprint with Stille instruments?

If you are interested in investing in Stille instruments, please click here to contact us. You can also browse the Stille range here: https://cairntechnology.com/surgical-instruments/

 

(1) 30 year warranty applies so long as they are used, cared for and serviced properly by Stille’s own service team.

Greenwashing in Healthcare – How to Take Effective Action

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In recent years, growing numbers of healthcare providers have been accused of “greenwashing”.

In this post we’ll explore what greenwashing in healthcare is, and what it looks like. We’ll also explore some ways you can ensure your environmental performance delivers in practice, and not just on paper.

What is Greenwashing?

“Greenwashing” essentially means that there’s a disconnect between your environmental policies and your environmental practices. It means that you might describe your services and your operations as environmentally responsible and sustainable, when in reality your practices are not nearly as green as they seem.

Why Does Greenwashing Happen?

Greenwashing isn’t always intentional. Sometimes it can happen by accident, when managers overlook certain processes, or when staff members or service users do not properly follow certain procedures.

But increasingly, people want to know that the services they use are taking steps to address the environmental impact of their operations. So if you claim to be green, then you must ensure you deliver on your promises. Otherwise, you could be misleading the public. And in healthcare settings, overlooking the environmental impact of certain processes can also carry some health risks.

What Does Greenwashing Look Like in Healthcare?

Your healthcare setting might set an environmental policy, and you might make certain declarations, and set certain aims, in your internal documents and communications. You might also communicate your environmental goals to your staff and patients, via onsite posters, leaflets, brochures, and even press releases.

If your environmental impact does not meet the standards you set in these materials, then you might be accused of greenwashing.

Examples of Greenwashing in Healthcare

How Can Healthcare Take Effective Environmental Action?

The need for effective infection prevention and control can make going green particularly challenging for healthcare settings. For example, how can a hospital commit to reducing waste when the Standard Infection Control Precautions advise using single-use items as often as possible? How can a care home embrace recycling when PPE best practice often advises disposing of items immediately after use?

The answer – and it is by no means an easy one – is to review all of your operations, from start to finish, and look for any areas where you might make any improvements to your environmental performance. And you need to do this without compromising on your operational efficiency, or your infection prevention and control processes.

Once you have reviewed your processes and established some possible areas of improvement, you need to communicate these to all staff at all levels. Your staff will be accustomed to doing things in a certain way. They might need some additional training if they need to get used to a greener way to complete a certain process.

Case Study – The Green Theatre Checklist

For some examples of how healthcare teams can improve their environmental performance without compromising on care standards or safety, take a look at the Green Theatre Checklist. This is a set of guidelines for how operating theatre teams can address their carbon footprints and work towards sustainability in surgery.

It recommends actions for every stage of surgery, from anaesthetic care to postoperative. Guidelines include:

  • Sourcing materials as locally as possible, to cut down on carbon emissions during transit.
  • Using “greener” substances wherever possible, such as sevoflurane instead of isoflurane.
  • Switching to reusable equipment wherever possible. Your PPE may always have to be single-use. But other equipment, such as underbody heaters, slide sheets, and trays, can be reusable.
  • Minimise waste. For example, follow a policy of “don’t open it unless you need it” when it comes to drugs and single-use equipment.
  • Reduce your water and energy consumption. This could include switching to automatic or peddle controlled taps. And when it comes to hand hygiene, adopt a “rub not scrub” approach: A water scrub to start the day, and alcohol rub for all subsequent procedures.

You can access and download the full Green Theatre Checklist.

Case Study – “Toxic Air at the Door of the NHS.”

The Toxic Air at the Door of the NHS report revealed that over 2,000 UK health centres are located in areas where the atmospheric concentration of particulate matter exceeds the World Health Organization’s recommended limits. This accounts for around 25% of all hospitals in the UK.

Particulate matter – including PM2.5 and PM10 – is a hazardous air pollutant that can contribute to, or worsen, a number of health conditions when inhaled. Road traffic is a major source of particulate matter. According to one study, over 20,000 respiratory and cardiovascular hospital admissions each year can be linked to air pollution.

Hospitals and healthcare settings might address this problem through setting strict onsite speed limits, and through banning smoking on the premises. Though as we suggested earlier, unless you also take measures to address the air quality inside your healthcare setting, then you might reasonably be accused of greenwashing.

There are two strategies you can adopt to improve the onsite air quality throughout your setting:

We Can Help You Deliver On Your Environmental Policies

At Cairn Technology, we can advise on switching to products and services that will help you cut down on unnecessary waste without compromising on your infection control or your operational efficiency.

We have a wide selection of reusable high-quality surgical instruments. Make the switch from single-use instruments and help to cut down on the waste associated with their mass production and disposal.

Take a look at our super absorbent floor mats, which cut down on the waste associated with higher volume production and waste of mats with much lower absorbency, such as inco pads.

We can also provide specialist air quality monitoring services, and we stock a complete range of hospital-grade air purifiers.

Get in touch with our friendly team of expert consultants to discuss your requirements today.

A Net Zero NHS: Plans for a Sustainable Tomorrow

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The NHS, like many large organisations, is taking a proactive approach to reducing its carbon footprint by achieving Net Zero.

Net zero refers to the balance between the amount of greenhouse gases emitted and the amount removed from the atmosphere.

Achieving net zero emissions is a critical step in mitigating the impact of climate change. The NHS, as one of the largest employers in the world, has a substantial carbon footprint primarily due to energy consumption, transportation, and waste generation.

The Health and Care Act 2022 requires commissioners and providers of NHS services to specifically address the UK Net Zero emissions target.

In its report, Delivering a ‘Net Zero’ National Health Service, the NHS has set out two clear targets:

  • Achieve a net zero NHS by 2040 for emissions directly controlled by the NHS.
  • Achieve a net zero NHS by 2045 for emissions that the NHS can influence.

How will the NHS achieve Net Zero?

To achieve this, it will look at reducing emissions from the 3 scopes covered by The Greenhouse Gas Protocol, which are:

  • Scope 1 – direct emissions from sources that are directly owned and controlled by the NHS, e.g. anaesthetics, NHS fleet and leased vehicles, etc.
  • Scope 2 – indirect emissions from the generation of purchased energy, mostly electricity.
  • Scope 3 – all other indirect emissions that occur in producing and transporting goods and services, including construction, medical devices, staff commuting, etc.

In addition, as part of the NHS Carbon Footprint Plus, they will aim to reduce emissions from patient and visitor travel to and from NHS services, and medicines used at home.

Key Components of the NHS Net Zero Plans

  1. Optimising Estates: The NHS estate and its supporting facilities services comprises 15% of the organisation’s total carbon emissions profile(1). As a result, it will look at at a number of interventions to reduce emissions. These will include upgrading existing buildings and optimising building usage, as well as generating renewable energy on-site and building 40 new NHS Net Zero Carbon hospitals.
  2. Travel and Transport: Approximately 3.5% (9.5 billion miles) of all road travel in England relates to patients, visitors, staff and suppliers to the NHS, contributing around 14% of the organisation’s total emissions. To address this, it will look to transitioning its fleet to zero-emission vehicles. Other measures include reducing unnecessary journeys through preventative medicine and digital care, and enabling healthier, less polluting types of travel such as cycling and walking.
  3. Supply Chain: While the NHS does not control emissions directly from its many suppliers, it can use its considerable purchasing power to influence change. From reducing the use of single-use items in hospitals, to sourcing more local food suppliers, and transforming anaesthetic practice, the NHS will use an array of methods to optimise its carbon footprint. It will also push all suppliers to decarbonise their own processes and activities.

The Net Zero Emissions Journey

The NHS’s net zero plans underscore its dedication to addressing the global climate crisis and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come. By focusing on energy efficiency, sustainable transportation, responsible procurement, waste reduction, and carbon offsetting, the NHS will be able to make significant reductions in emissions.

However, the nature of its commitment means that its Net Zero journey will take it far beyond its medium-term targets, with innovation in products and services continuing to enable improvements on an open-ended basis.

How we can help

We are already helping NHS hospitals to reduce their carbon footprint in a number of ways:

  1. By supplying reusable surgical instruments with a much lower cardon footprint than disposables – click here for more information
  2. By supplying super-absorbent mats that reduce the amount of waste generated through producing the mats and disposing of them compared to inco pads and less absorbent mats – click here for more information
  3. By offering workplace exposure monitoring services that help to identify anaesthetic leaks and thus mitigate losses that escape to atmosphere – click here for more information

If you would like to talk to the Cairn Technology team about how we can help your hospital with its Net Zero plans, please call us on 0333 015 4345 or click here to contact us via web form and we will be happy to help.

 

(1) All statistics in this article are drawn from https://www.england.nhs.uk/greenernhs/wp-content/uploads/sites/51/2022/07/B1728-delivering-a-net-zero-nhs-july-2022.pdf

 

DAS 2024 – Decontamination and Sterilisation Conference

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Is DAS 2024 already in your calendar? If you are a decontamination manager or lead, or part of the sterile services team then this is an event not to be missed.

Taking place on 6th February at the National Conference Centre in Birmingham, this transformative conference aims to shape the future of decontamination and sterilisation.

DAS 2024 Speakers and Workshops

Hosting a range of speakers including Trevor Garcia, Chairman of the Institute of Decontamination Sciences, and Sharon Fox, Head of Decontamination at University Hospital Birmingham NHS, talks will cover a range of topics from developing an effective staff competency framework to best practise for patient safety.

There will also be 15 workshops throughout the day, exploring topics including:

  • the role of the decontamination lead,
  • innovations in ultrasound decontamination,
  • advanced endoscope decontamination, and
  • the role of surface disinfection.

Other benefits for Decontamination Professionals

As a delegate, you can access a host of other benefits:

  • earn 7+ hours of CPD Accredited Points for your Annual Assessments,
  • interact with leaders in decontamination and sterilisation,
  • connect with professionals and stakeholders in the field, and
  • shape practices in decontamination and sterilisation.

Interested in best practice and products?

Come and see us on stand B12 to find out why decontamination and CSSU managers across the UK specify our products and services.

  • Stille Surgical Instruments

Come and handle our range of Stille surgical instruments, which are warrantied for 30 years.

You’ll be able to see how these instruments have been carefully designed to optimise longevity through ease of cleaning and maintenance. That’s why they offer exceptional precision, strength and durability despite decades of use.

Covering a wide range of specialisms from general and orthopaedic surgery to cardiothoracic, plastic surgery and more, they can be the stalwarts of your instrument sets for years to come.

To find out more about our Stille surgical instruments click here.

  • COSHH Monitoring for Endoscopy

Our workplace exposure monitoring helps endoscopy departments to achieve and maintain their annual JAG accreditation.

This provides important evidence that an NHS or independent UK endoscopy service is competent to deliver against the criteria set out in the JAG standards and fulfil IHEEM annual AE(D) audit part 9.6.

Our monitoring of endoscope decontamination rooms is carried out to assess staff exposure to peracetic and acetic acid.

It enables our customers to demonstrate that their control measures are keeping any exposure within required limits, as stated in regulation 10 of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health 2002 Regulations (COSHH).

To find out about our monitoring service for endoscope decontamination rooms click here.

Want to attend the Decontamination and Sterilisation Conference 2024?

To find out more about the DAS 2024 speakers, agenda and how to register just click here now.

We look forward to seeing you at the conference!

 

Orthopaedic Surgery Innovations

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Orthopaedic surgery has seen remarkable advancements in recent years, revolutionizing the way we approach musculoskeletal disorders and injuries.

From minimally invasive techniques to cutting-edge technologies, the field of orthopaedics is at the forefront of medical innovation. This article explores some of the groundbreaking developments that have transformed orthopaedic surgery, enhancing patient outcomes and redefining the standard of care.

Minimally Invasive Surgery:

Traditionally, orthopaedic surgeries involved large incisions, leading to extended recovery times and increased risks of complications. However, the advent of minimally invasive techniques has drastically changed the landscape of orthopaedic surgery. Procedures like arthroscopy enable surgeons to visualize, diagnose, and treat joint problems through small incisions, reducing tissue damage and promoting faster healing. This approach has become particularly popular in joint replacement surgeries, such as knee and hip replacements, allowing for shorter hospital stays and quicker rehabilitation.

3D Printing Technology:

The integration of 3D printing technology has opened new avenues in orthopaedic surgery. Customized implants and prosthetics can now be created based on a patient’s unique anatomy, enhancing the precision and fit of the devices. Surgeons can use 3D-printed models of a patient’s bones to plan and practice complex procedures before entering the operating room, improving surgical accuracy and reducing complications. This personalized approach has significantly improved the overall success rates of orthopaedic surgeries.

Robotics and Navigation Systems:

Robotic-assisted surgery has gained traction in orthopaedics, providing surgeons with enhanced precision and control. Robotic systems are employed in joint replacement surgeries, allowing for more accurate implant placement and alignment. Additionally, navigation systems use computer-assisted technology to guide surgeons during procedures, ensuring optimal outcomes. These technologies not only improve the surgeon’s capabilities but also contribute to faster recovery times and reduced postoperative pain for patients.

Biological Therapies:

The field of orthopaedic surgery has seen a surge in biological therapies aimed at promoting tissue regeneration and healing. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell therapies are being explored as alternatives to traditional treatments for conditions such as osteoarthritis and tendon injuries. These approaches harness the body’s natural healing mechanisms, accelerating the recovery process and potentially avoiding the need for more invasive interventions.

Smart Implants and Wearable Technology:

Advancements in materials science and technology have led to the development of smart implants equipped with sensors that monitor various parameters, such as load distribution and joint movement. These implants provide real-time data to both patients and healthcare providers, allowing for personalized treatment plans and early detection of potential issues. Additionally, wearable technology, such as smart braces and exoskeletons, aids in rehabilitation by providing feedback and support to patients recovering from orthopaedic surgeries.

The future if orthopaedic surgery

The landscape of orthopaedic surgery is continually evolving, driven by groundbreaking innovations that prioritize patient outcomes, minimize invasiveness, and enhance surgical precision. From 3D printing to robotics and biological therapies, these advancements are reshaping the future of orthopaedics.

As technology continues to progress, we can expect even more transformative developments that will further improve the quality of life for individuals with musculoskeletal conditions.

How we can help you

Cairn Technology supplies a range of handcrafted instruments for orthopaedic surgery that are warrantied for 30 years of use. To view the Stille range of orthopaedic surgical instruments click here.

Or if you are tired of getting wet feet during orthopaedic procedures, click here to take a look at our range of absorbent mats to help you quickly remove spills for rapid operating theatre turnaround.

 

 

Plastic Surgery events in the UK in 2023

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If you are involved in plastic or reconstructive surgery, then this Autumn/Winter offers several excellent opportunities to learn and network with fellow consultant plastic surgeons.

From facial surgery and body contouring to oral surgery, hand surgery and much more, you are sure to find some benefit from attending the following events:

 

BAAPS Congress 2023 – 28th to 29th September

Taking place on 28th and 29th September in London, 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. You can find out more about the Congress by clicking here: https://baaps.org.uk/about/events/1636/baaps_2023

 

BSFPS – British Society of Facial Plastic Surgery Annual Conference 2023 – 12th to 13th October

Organised by the BSFPS, which was created to support training in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery for NHS and private sector surgeons, the Annual Conference will comprise of Juniors Day on the Thursday and the Annual Meeting on the Friday.

The main programme will cover all aspects of facial surgery, including optimising wound healing and scars, rhinoplasty, and Mohs surgery.

For more information about the BSFPS Annual Meeting or to register to attend just click here.

 

BAPRAS Congress 2023 – 29th November – 1st December

Taking place in Gateshead, this year’s BAPRAS Congress is subtitled ‘Interface’ to reflect the extensive working relationships that plastic surgery has with other surgical specialties.

In line with this, a number of different Associations and Societies are included on this year’s guest programme, including the British Orthopaedic Association, British Society for Surgery of the Hand, British Orthopaedic Oncology Society, British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and many more.

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

 

More Diary Dates for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Events

Don’t forget to follow us on our social media channels, where we will be regularly posting about upcoming plastic surgery events in the UK. Plus, if you have an event that you would like us to mention, just email info@cairntechnology.com and we will be happy to share the news!

You can also browse our exceptional range of Stille handcrafted surgical instruments for plastic surgery here.

 

Surgical Sutures and Stitch Types: A Guide

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Surgical sutures and stitches are used to close wounds to the skin and other tissues.

This is an essential introduction to the different types of surgical sutures and stitches. We’ll briefly discuss what each type is used for and explore the sort of specialist surgical instruments doctors use to apply sutures.

What’s the Difference Between Sutures and Stitches?

The terms “sutures” and “stitches” are often used interchangeably. The key difference is that a suture is a medical device surgeons use to repair a wound and stitching is a technique surgeons use to repair wounds with sutures.

Even the most experienced surgeon might sometimes refer to “sutures” as “stitches”, and vice-versa. Most people will understand what you mean if you use either term. But it’s important to understand the difference, nonetheless.

The Different Types of Sutures

There are three key ways to classify sutures:

  • Absorbable or nonabsorbable. Absorbable sutures will be naturally digested by the enzymes in your body, over time. Nonabsorbable sutures will either be left in permanently, or else they’ll be removed by a doctor at a later date.
  • Some sutures are monofilament, meaning they consist of a single thread, for quicker and easier stitching. Other sutures are braided, making for a more secure stitching.
  • Sutures will either be made from a natural or a synthetic material.

Suture Grades

To help surgeons select the appropriate type of suture for each application, sutures are graded by the diameter of the strand. The suture grading system involved an O followed by a number. This number indicates the diameter of the suture. The higher the number, the lower the diameter.

Types of Suture

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list. We just want to provide a few examples of the different types of sutures, along with their applications.

  • A natural, absorbable, monofilament suture, largely used to close internal soft tissue wounds.
  • Polydioxanone (PDS). A synthetic, absorbable, monofilament suture that’s suitable for paediatric cardiac procedures, as well as in many types of soft tissue surgery.
  • Polyglactin (Vicryl). A synthetic, absorbable, braided suture that’s durable enough for use in repairing external lacerations, such as on the hand and face. Though as certain braided sutures can make wounds more vulnerable to infection, sutures of this type should not be used in cardiovascular procedures.
  • Nylon and silk. Nylon sutures are monofilament, whereas silk sutures are braided. Both types are nonabsorbable, and suitable for general use for most types of soft tissue repair.

Types of Suture Techniques

As well as selecting from different types of sutures, surgeons can also choose from a variety of suture techniques depending on the procedure.

Here are some examples of the types of suture techniques. But once again, please note that this is not an exhaustive list:

  • Continuous sutures. In which surgeons will make a series of stitches with a single strand of suture. A skilled surgeon can apply continuous sutures quickly, and as the tension’s distributed evenly across the wound, the stitch tends to be quite strong.
  • Interrupted sutures. Rather than making a series of stitches with a single suture, surgeons may instead make a stitch, cut and tie it off, and then make another – repeating the process until the wound’s closed. This technique takes longer, but the stitch can be more secure, as even if one suture breaks, the rest will stay in place.
  • Purse-string sutures. A type of continuous suture which involves stitching a suture around an area, before tightening it like you would the strings on a purse. One possible application of this type of suture is to secure a stapling device to the intestines.
  • Buried sutures. With this type of suture, surgeons tie the knot within the area they’re closing off. It’s a method for making secure stitches deep within the body, and typically, the sutures are not intended to be removed.

Types of Suture Needles

To apply a suture to a wound, surgeons will first attach the suture to a needle. There are a few different types of suture needles:

  • For easy manoeuvrability in small spaces. The curved shape of the needle allows the surgeon to stitch a wound by simply turning their wrist.
  • For making very precise and neat stitches. These are good for fixing external lacerations, but they’re unsuitable for deeper wounds, as surgeons need a lot of space to use them.
  • For when surgeons need to puncture tissue so they can pass through it. Most suture needles have sharp tips for this very purpose.
  • The rounded tip means that blunt suture needles can still separate tissue, but there’s less risk that they’ll inadvertently prick organs and other bits of tissue.

Surgeons will also use forceps and other types of surgical equipment to give them a tight grip and reliable control of their suture needles as they stitch wounds. Read our full guide to the different types of surgical forceps.

Taking Care of Your Surgical Instruments

Effectively sterilising and cleaning surgical instruments is an essential part of infection prevention and control in medical settings, particularly when the procedure involves working so close to soft tissues and open wounds. Taking care of your surgical instruments will also prolong their lifespan, keeping them as reliable as possible for as long as possible.

We have a few guides that will help you take better care of your surgical instruments:

At Cairn Technology, we have one of the most comprehensive offerings of high-quality surgical instruments on the UK market. Take a look at our range of surgical instruments.

For a free quote, or to discuss your surgical needs with one of our friendly experts, get in touch today.

Operating Theatre Must-Have Equipment Checklist

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Three things are vital to delivering an efficient operating theatre:

In this post, we’ll discuss the must-have equipment for any operating theatre.

Why Does Equipment Make a Difference in Operating Theatres?

Obviously, all operating theatre procedures depend upon specialist surgical equipment. You need surgical equipment you can depend on. But it’s just as important to carefully consider the rest of the equipment you use in the operating theatre.

Between each procedure, you’ll have to clean, decontaminate, or sterilise the operating theatre environment, your surgical instruments, and your medical equipment.

Any equipment you use will either be reusable or disposable. With single-use equipment, so long as it’s adequately stored and handled, you can use it during the procedure safe in the knowledge that it’s clean and sterile, and simply dispose of it in the appropriate waste channel following the procedure. But with reusable equipment, you’ll have to take appropriate steps to ensure everything’s adequately processed before and after each procedure.

In this way, the specific equipment you choose for your operating theatre can make a huge difference to your patient outcomes, and to your turnaround time.

Your choice of equipment can also influence your operational efficiency (through reducing clutter while providing ease of access, for example), and the comfort and safety of your theatre team.

Operating Theatre Must-Have Equipment Checklist

Surgical Lights

For illuminating the surgical site while eliminating shadows. Surgical lights can either be LED or halogen. Of the two, LED is more energy efficient. It also provides a brighter, whiter light, and it generates less heat, which can make things more comfortable for surgical teams.

Operating Table

The table upon which the patient lies for the duration of the procedure. Operating tables are often adjustable and with moving parts, to help the surgical team position the patient as necessary for the procedure.

Equipment Management Systems

These provide storage and ease of access for all the necessary surgical equipment, alongside housing for wires and cables.

This can improve operational efficiency through allowing the surgical team to easily access the equipment they need as soon as they need it. These systems can also reduce clutter, helping to remove tripping and slipping hazards.

Operating theatres may also contain warming cabinets, which can be used to keep fluids, linens, and blankets warm, to help reduce the risk of hypothermia during certain procedures.

Surgical Displays

Display systems can either provide up-to-date information about the patient’s status, or they can provide an intricate, magnified view of the patient’s inner anatomy during certain invasive procedures.

Surgical displays may be wall-mounted, or they may be attached to arms or columns.

Surgical Instruments

A surgeon’s tools of the trade. Surgical instruments are used exclusively in sterile spaces, and they’re specifically designed to penetrate a patient’s skin or mucous membrane. Different procedures will require different instruments.

We specialise in supplying high quality instruments for use across a broad range of surgical disciplines. If you’d like to discuss your surgical instrument requirements, get in touch to talk to an expert today.

Scrub Sinks

Operating theatre teams use scrub sinks to wash their hands and forearms before performing surgical procedures. Good hand hygiene is an essential part of effective infection prevention and control in operating theatres.

This is one area where the specific choice of equipment can make a huge difference to your theatre’s operational efficiency. An absorbent floor mat in the theatre or scrub room can help reduce slippery floors and can also reduce turnaround times between procedures.

The most superabsorbent mat, the T-Mat, can absorb up to 8.5 litres of liquid during a procedure, and afterwards your team can quickly and easily dispose of it in the clinical waste. This will dramatically cut down on your cleaning time, with no need for any noisy, time-consuming suction devices and tubing.

We Can Help You Deliver Exceptional Care Quality Standards in the Operating Theatre

Cairn Technology are approved suppliers to both NHS and private healthcare providers. We specialise in helping operating theatre teams improve efficiency and care quality standards.

As well as stocking a range of surgical instruments and specialist infection control products, we can provide expert advice on improving operational effectiveness in the theatre. Get in touch to discuss our products and services with  one of our friendly experts today.