Laparoscopic Screens

[Sardonic Nurse]

Tonight I came in to relieve someone in a laparoscopic case and noticed that the screen was right over the back table. I almost freaked but this was the position in which the surgeon could see best. We supposedly have a higher infection rate in that room, which we use for many of our lap cases, and I can't help but wonder if this is related. I'm sure there is some kind of product out there that can help cover the screens in order to keep them sterile if need be. Anyone use anything at their facilities that might help. It just seems like such bad technique to me. Any suggestions that I can present to management, who by the way has no idea what happens in our rooms? Thanks

[NabiRN, BSN, RN]

There are sterile covers for lap screens and hybrid cases. Of course, they are not used all the time. I am not sure what's the cost of the covers. You proabably can do a search. If you think about it, anything above the chest is not sterile and surgical staff are always looking into the wound with headlights that are not covered and etc.

[Fun2, BSN, RN]

We use clear, sterile covers for things such as screens, the C-Arm X-Ray machine, etc.