jackjohn
09-10-2008, 12:03 AM
What should /could be done ? please offer comments/suggestions after reading below :
This concerns cardboard in the Sterile Storage area
We (our facility) receives procedure packs (minor,lap chole,basic extremity, etc) through our network distribution center . They come in cardboard boxes wrapped in plastic from the manufacturer.
We used to store the boxes , after removing the plastic , on shelves on the sterile storage area . I questioned this practice and was told it was o.k. , even though the RN educator told them that it was against AORN recommendation . I took it a step further and went to our infection control and inquired . The IC nurse told me and the 'powers that be' that NO corrugated cardboard is allowed in any sterile areas . We stopped putting the cardboard on the shelves (I do 95% of the unpacking of these packs).
This all took place a couple of years ago. Fast forward to yesterday . We rec'd a visit from a few corporate folk (they are doing a network tour), one of whom is the 'corporate' Director of Surgery . Someone (I guess they're still mad at me) asked about this same subject . The 'corporate' DOS stated that as long as the plastic is removed , the cardboard is allowed .
My quandry is : If this is 'allowed' , shouldn't we at least have some sort of validation from the manufacturer that their cardboard has been sterilized and determined to be organism free ?? Shouldn't that determination come from 'corporate' IC ? I'm confused at the turn of event as to what should be followed ... the corporate o.k. OR my facility IC ??
any comments/suggestions would be welcome
Thanks in advance ! :)
This concerns cardboard in the Sterile Storage area
We (our facility) receives procedure packs (minor,lap chole,basic extremity, etc) through our network distribution center . They come in cardboard boxes wrapped in plastic from the manufacturer.
We used to store the boxes , after removing the plastic , on shelves on the sterile storage area . I questioned this practice and was told it was o.k. , even though the RN educator told them that it was against AORN recommendation . I took it a step further and went to our infection control and inquired . The IC nurse told me and the 'powers that be' that NO corrugated cardboard is allowed in any sterile areas . We stopped putting the cardboard on the shelves (I do 95% of the unpacking of these packs).
This all took place a couple of years ago. Fast forward to yesterday . We rec'd a visit from a few corporate folk (they are doing a network tour), one of whom is the 'corporate' Director of Surgery . Someone (I guess they're still mad at me) asked about this same subject . The 'corporate' DOS stated that as long as the plastic is removed , the cardboard is allowed .
My quandry is : If this is 'allowed' , shouldn't we at least have some sort of validation from the manufacturer that their cardboard has been sterilized and determined to be organism free ?? Shouldn't that determination come from 'corporate' IC ? I'm confused at the turn of event as to what should be followed ... the corporate o.k. OR my facility IC ??
any comments/suggestions would be welcome
Thanks in advance ! :)