Flipping the sterile stuff

[StaceyPaigee]

As a brand new educator, I have been tasked with changing our practice of flipping sterile supplies to opening for the scrub nurses to remove them. Most of the staff are absolutely not on board citing a lack of time (they are not wrong), our efficiency is pushed to the limits. My question is do your ORs still flip sterile supplies? have you been through this process change? any advice at all would be amazing!

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

We flip, but only onto a Mayo or basin, never on the back table. Certain things are spelled out in policy that they cannot be flipped, but for most it’s allowed. 

[Guest 1152923]

   Interesting concept and I understand the rationale behind the policy change.  On a pragmatic basis however, larger surgeries-I.e. complex cardiothoracic, robotic, spine...that require a lot of setup, I just can't see how this could be accomplished.

[RickyRescueRN, BSN, RN]

The ideal is to have as much included in your custom pack that you don't have to flip much at all. That requires working with your pack vendors on a regular basis to keep them updated and also to prevent waste of unused items. Some items are just unavoidable. 

 

[ortho_spine_RN]

Have ya’ll found any articles on AORN or anywhere else that support this change in practice? I can imagine why it would be safer, but I’m curious to see the data/studies/statistical significance behind it.

[StaceyPaigee]

Quote

18 hours ago, ortho_spine_RN said:

Have ya’ll found any articles on AORN or anywhere else that support this change in practice? I can imagine why it would be safer, but I’m curious to see the data/studies/statistical significance behind it.

This is what I've been looking for as well but cannot find anything to show it will have any impact on surgical site infections.