Safe Transport of Specimens in Operating Theatres
The safe transport of specimens in operating theatres is vital to ensure the safety of staff and patients, as well as the integrity of the biological specimen.
In a theatre setting, staff handling specimens face particular challenges and risks because specimens are often taken quickly during surgery.
Commonly excised tissue includes lung tissue, lumpectomy samples, and bone marrow, amongst many others, while bodily fluids are also regularly taken as samples.
Typical risks to the safe transport of specimens
In fast-moving situations, it can be all too easy for staff to overfill the specimen container or to fail to close the lid correctly.
In both cases, this can lead to the contents spilling out, risking cross-contamination and compromising specimen integrity.
There is also a risk that specimens left to one side in the theatre could be damaged during theatre turnaround.
In addition to making the specimens unusable, these situations can also lead to the surgeon needing to take further specimens. This takes up more time in theatres, and causes additional stress to the patient.
Tackling the risks to biological specimen transportation
The risks to specimens taken in theatres can be minimised by taking a planned approach to specimen handling in that environment.
Staff should be trained fully in correct specimen containment and transportation. Whilst, a system should be put in place for logging any issues. These can then be reviewed with a view to addressing these risks and preventing reoccurrence.
Creating a dedicated specimen collection station can ensure that specimens are handled away from ‘high-traffic’ areas, whilst having pre-assembled triple packaging kits to hand ensures for a convenient and systematic containment process.
By ensuring that specimens are transferred to pathology immediately after packaging, the risk of damage during theatre turnaround is avoided.
Triple Packaging of Biological Specimens
Our superabsorbent Riskpads are ideal as the absorbent material required in the secondary packaging of a triple packaging system for the safe transport of specimens.
Capable of absorbing water-based fluids such as blood, urine and other body fluids, they turn the fluid to gel to prevent dripping.
For more information on our Riskpad products that can help with the safe transport of specimens click here. Or call us on 0333 015 4345 for free samples to try in your operating theatres, laboratory, or pathology department.
Or for more information on the triple packaging requirements for biological specimens in hospitals click here.
