FLASHING

[4_Sq]

When we flash an item for a surgical case we now have to fill out a computerized patient safety form.

The ORNAC Standards currently are not in favor of flashing items for surgery, just wondering if most OR's are

moving in this direction?

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

We actually started moving this way several years ago. It was a big cost to the hospital- we used to flash entire instrument trays for back surgeries, and they ended up having to buy I think 4-5 more sets to prevent the flashing. We also are required to get management permission to flash anything implantable, and that's only if the surgeon absolutely refuses to delay surgery in order for SPD to sterilize it (which takes about 90 minutes from the time they get the set). It's really cut down on the flashing of whole sets. We still occasionally flash contaminated items- most recently, we had a retractor with a screw, and the screw fell on the floor. We got the second retractor, but it was broken, so we ended flashing the screw for the first one.

[wakyone]

We are the same-absolutely no flashing unless there is no other replacement. If we have to flash between cases because all sets are in use, item must go through washer first.

[ChristineAdrianaRN, BSN, RN]

It is the same where I am. I was told in the last couple years, they had been flashing 40% of their instruments. But then due to OSHA or whatever it was, they have cut down on that significantly. And there's all this documentation you have to do (though it's in a handwritten book, not a computerized system) and it gets audited and all that.

[SandraCVRN]

NO flashing, occasional "flash pak" done, no flash pak of implants. Log book with pt sticker, reason, items, etc... we have to circle the parameters on the print out, initial that we did everything according to policy