Flipping supplies/instruments

ChristineAdrianaRN, BSN, RN · Apr 9, 2012

If at all possible, I let the scrub nurse take it out of the packaging herself rather than flip it onto her field. If there is no one scrubbed in, then yes, I flip it. The other way I was taught was to hold onto it with your arm across the top and then pull back on the bottom and let it drop down, but I was then told by a scrub tech that felt really strongly about it to not do that because you're reaching over the field, so I got out of that habit and started flipping it per her request.

PetsToPeople · Apr 9, 2012

It's probably just a particular habit that was formed in the OR. I never flip a sterile instrument...it's not necessary for one, it looks sloppy and silly, it can flop around and mess up my neatly organized instruments and the biggie is that it can bounce and fall on the floor. Not such a big deal, except in a vet's office it maybe the only sterile instrument you have of that particulary type, and we've had goofers drop them and then it has to be rush cleaned and re-sterlized while we wait. Pretty sure that won't happen in a human OR, but I still just don't like it! I always liked my fluid motion of open, peel and present...felt very professional.

Editorial Team / Admin · Apr 9, 2012

We aren't supposed to be flipping things, but in the heart ORs, that would mean we'd need two people scrubbed so one could be setting up while the other takes the opened supplies, plus two more to open the supplies in order to be set up on time. We use two tables instead- one that is used at the sterile field, and a second table that we flip things onto. There are things that absolutely no one will flip and will have the scrub person take, but then all of our instruments come in sterile pans, not peel packs. What we flip: sutures, extra sponges, towels, gowns, gloves, some miscellaneous small stuff like extended bovie tips. Things that absolutely no one will flip: platelet gel kit ($$$$$), cooling jacket (just impossible the way it's packaged), cannulas ($$$$, plus it's on backorder and we have a limited supply), things that are just awkward or have a tendency to roll if flipped.

Lorodz · May 21, 2012

What is your take on flipping sterile items onto sterile fields? I avoid is as much as possible however the culture in our OR is to flip almost everything, including instruments.. How is this practice viewed in your OR?

ideally, flipping instruments is not recommended, according to our operating room standards. But i see a lot of people practice it. We flip many things such as sutures, gloves etc... but i just cant learn the technique. Im having a hard time learning it. can someone show me a step by step on how to do it? a link to a video site would be highly appreciated.

RNOTODAY, BSN, RN · May 21, 2012

as long as you can do it right, our or has no problem with it. but of course, understandably so, certain staff, circs and scrub techs, like to grab whenever they can. sometimes its at the most inconvenient times, however,like

when i really need to flip bcuz i m in a rush..bu they are "busy" moving something else around on their table, but i digress.......

GadgetRN71, ASN, RN · May 22, 2012

I never flip orthopedic implants onto the field. Ditto for heavy or unwieldy things.

Lorodz · May 22, 2012

OMG orthopedic implants those are expensive! LOLZ ... anyway, can somehow help me with my query? where can i find a link about flipping stuff in the theatre? ive done a google search, unfortunately all turned out not helpful

RNOTODAY, BSN, RN · Jan 18, 2019

Umm , we are so concerned with getting the case started, that I don’t even think I’d know HOW to open a room without flipping!! ? it’s always been an accepted practicefrom management/ educators for us to do it , too.. of course providing we flipped it “ correctly “ and didn’t contaminate anything.which when rushing and flipping, you gotta be vigilant because it’s easy to do!