Technicare Alert--now what??

Editorial Team / Admin · Sep 22, 2009

Basically, our only option is sterile saline. Apparently there is something else out there to use (not sure what it's called) but, surprise, surprise, it's on backorder. When we preop a patient and find out they have a betadine allergy, we're supposed to notify the surgeon and they make the call whether we still need to do the surgery or if it can be rescheduled once a replacement arrives.

$fracturenurse$ · Sep 22, 2009

What the heck? When did Techni-care get pulled?

SandraCVRN · Sep 22, 2009

We didn't hear that either... Guess I'll google it..thanks for the info, any prep ideas???

MamaCheese · Sep 23, 2009

The only thing I found when I Goggled it was a recall on the FDA site from January 2000. Is there another recall? I didn't work today but I know it was still in our core on Monday. Is this a brand new recall?

Jarnaes · Sep 23, 2009

This is the first I've heard of it. We use Technicare all the time. Please provide a link if you have one. Thanks.

Editorial Team / Admin · Sep 23, 2009

Our nurse manager sent out an email that there is an FDA investigation going on. No link was included though.

$fracturenurse$ · Sep 23, 2009

Nobody at our OR knows anything about this. Like the above post all I can find is an old recall from years ago. If anyone has any new info please let us know!

staceyp413 · Sep 24, 2009

Not sure of the email I had at work with the link but this is one I found on a different site that also relates to it:

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/09/caretech_microbes.html

I am still at a loss of what to use at this point and am looking for any options you may have tried. We don't need it often, never reordered after our first case. Just need a option for those pt's with a betadine allergy who need a prep of the mucousal membrane areas.

Thanks,

Stacey

BethCNOR, BSN, RN · Sep 25, 2009

We don't use Technicare at our hospital. We use chlorhexidine or chloroprep for betadine allergies.

Editorial Team / Admin · Sep 25, 2009

We don't use Technicare at our hospital. We use chlorhexidine or chloroprep for betadine allergies.

Even for mucous membranes, which both of these products state shouldn't be used for?

ETA: apparently chlorhexidine can be used on mucous membranes (according to an article I found at jhu.edu), but per my facility's policies, it is not approved to be used (not sure why)

smokiestover1968 · Sep 28, 2009

care tech labs put out a statement on their website. here's the link:

http://www.caretechlabs.com/articles/care-tech press release - september 14 2009.doc