Cardboard and Meds Guidance Needed

[wilbur1]

I am in some desperate need of finding written documentation (guidance statements) on the following topics:

*Cardboard in the OR-does this mean no cardboard in the entire department (PACU, Pre-op, CS, etc)? What kinds of cardboard are banned? What about the cardboard boxes that hold fiberglass casting-basically, how far are we supposed to take this? Isn't this also a violation under the state fire authority?

*Meds in multi-dose bottles-do you use them? If not, what do you do with any extra medication that is left at the end of the case (off sterile field)-example: tetracaine eye drops-you only use a few drops. Do you use the bottle for all remaining patients, toss it, or give it to the patient? What about antibiotic ointment and KY?

I appreciate the help. I am looking for "Best Practice" statements from reputable professional organizations and how these issues are dealt with at each of your facilities.

[MereSanity]

I guess cockroaches like to nest in corrugated (sp) cardboard and there is probably a fire hazard component also. No cardboard at all. Unpack supplies then break down the boxes and get rid of them. I also think we unpack in distribution and bring them to the OR/PACU, etc. We do have cast-padding (surgilast/OCL) boxes but they are not corrugated (sp) so maybe those are considered OK? I'd check with AORN to be sure. Multi use vials/bottles-we dispose of them. After you open them they are no longer sterile anyway. Never re-use on another patient (I guess some patients got hepatitis from an anesthesiologist reusing multi use vials somewhere). We aren't even allowed to send the rest with the patient unless the Dr writes a script for it (and most don't want to so we pitch it). Huge waste.