Published Mar 23, 2009
linda2097
375 Posts
Do you count instruments during an infant belly case even though the instruments are longer than the thickness of the infant?
mactheknife
34 Posts
Yes, yes, yes. I always count even during minor cases, but especially during Abdominal surgery. It goes to maintaining good habits and being able to know with conviction that nothing from my side has been neglected. It leaves me with no self doubt and peace of mind.
Do you count instruments during ortho cases?
Yes, every time I open a set. In some instances I will count only before cutting skin and just before closing but I count in every case. You work in a country with educated doctors. I don't, so I have to cover my a**s at all times.
Wow. You count ortho trays? Do you count every screw and plate in the implant trays? I'm not being a smartass. I'm seriously asking you.
What we do in our dept is to fill the plates and screws on the trays after every use before it is sent to the sterilizing department. This makes it easy because you can see at a glance if any thing is missing and record it.
I have known persons to remove instruments and stuff before sending the sets to CSSD or even from CSSD. The instruments can easily be sold on the "black market" in some countries. One learns to adapt to where you are working and how to deal with the related problems.
As I said the people you work with have a much higher sence of ethics and morals.
shodobe
1,260 Posts
No hospital I have ever worked at or in the past 32 years have I ever seen anyone count instruments for a ortho case. Doesn't mean it isn't the wise thing to do only everyone has their priority. This includes ortho and neuro. Always sponges, needles, bovie tips, cottonoids, dissectors, etc...................... Also mac, to bad you have to work with the un-educated.