Instrument Tracking Systems

[dlwright]

What instrument tracking systems are you using and can you tell me the pro's and con's of your system?

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

We use Censitrac. It's only as good as the user- if someone forgets to scan an instrument, it can disappear and we have to search high and low for it or it may not get serviced when it should. Happened with one of our retractors that we only have two of- one of them was AWOL for about 2 weeks before we finally found it in another department. On the other hand, it can help us figure out what was last used where, and it tracks how many times an instrument is used so that it gets sent for routine maintenance such as sharpening or lubrication before the room staff discovers a scissor that doesn't cut.