Peel Pouch Problem

[Nomad Tech]

We need an answer. Currently, we are labeling the plastic side of the peel pouch with an approved felt-tip marker. At some time during the sterilization process, the ink is getting wet and wicking onto the paper of the peel pouch beside it sometimes visibly penetrating the packaging and badly staining it. Does this contaminate the contents within the pouch? I know we don't write on the paper side because of the ink wicking into the package and compromising sterility. This seems like the same thing to me except it is happening during sterilization. Has anybody encountered this problem? Please help!

[Uprooted Scrub]

Nomad:

We've switched our Sharpie markers to part # 13601 which Sanborn (Sharpie Company) claims to be rated for use in hospitals. We don't have a problem with the ink bleeding through the peel pouches.

A consideration - have you recently switched peel pouch vendors?

Hope this helps and have a good day.

Blaine

[Harvey Johnson]

We purchased several of the coil peel pack separators from SPS medical (800-722-1529) P/N SCD 001, works great, keeping the required spacing between packs during sterilization.

[DebbieLynn]

We write all the info on the top of the peel pack. We use self seal packs. are you using a heat sealer? Can you leave space at the top?

[cpdguy]

You need to make sure that you are using an approved marker.
Many people use sharpie, which is OK if you are using the correct sharpie. You need to order SHARPIE model # 1360-1 or 1#380-1. They are the only models approved for sterilization from sharpie.

Using the wrong type could be your issue on "running". You might be using a model approved for sterilization. Many companies sell markers beside sharpie to that are also approved.
Hope this helps.

[CSS TECH]

Self-sealing packs have spaces reserved for labeling and dating, but pouches sealed by a machine don't offer any place to write. No writing should be done on any side of pouches (plastic nor paper). In my hospital, we use a piece of tape attached to the plastic side of the pouch, and on this piece of tape we write all the information regarding the package.

[cpdguy]

CSS TECH.
I have to differ with your response.You can write on a peel pouch regarless if it is self or heat seal. You can write on the plastic side. YOU CAN NOT WRITE AT ANY TIME ON THE PAPER SIDE. Check you AAMI guidleines.

Also you can save your department money buy not using the tape and if you go to heat seal pouches you will save more. Self seal cost more than heat seal. You can contact me any time if you need more information.

Hope this helps.

[CSS TECH]

CSS TECH.
I have to differ with your response.You can write on a peel pouch regarless if it is self or heat seal. You can write on the plastic side. YOU CAN NOT WRITE AT ANY TIME ON THE PAPER SIDE. Check you AAMI guidleines.

Also you can save your department money buy not using the tape and if you go to heat seal pouches you will save more. Self seal cost more than heat seal. You can contact me any time if you need more information.

Hope this helps.
You are precisely right cpdguy. It is acceptable to write on the plastic side of a peel pouch. Now, I am wondering if it's ok also to write on a wrapping paper (KimGuard). If not, why?
It was a pleasure to attend your seminar in Long Island last year at the Millridge Cottage. The brush chart you gave me is very useful. Thanks.

[cpdguy]

to my understanding you should not write on the wrap it self. you write on the tape. In my years of working with wrap, to my best remembering the wrap company in their instructions stated you can not write on the wrap same reason as on the paper side of the peel pouch. It can cause a concern with the sterile barrier property. Just get the drections from the wrap company and follow that.
Thank you for the kind words.

[Cindy Bee]

I can think of one reason you would NOT want to write on Kimguard, How would you know FOR SURE that someone had not written on the pack AFTER sterilization- therefore rendering the pack unsterile as marker is wet and anything wet can wick bacteria from the air into the pack. Anyone who is not trained may find this an acceptable practice to write whatever they wish post sterilization like nursing techs, new hires who havent learned better.

[Monarch]

I seem to be having this problem with wicking onto the paper side of pouches no matter what we do. We are using the "industrial" sharpie, we are using the SPS pouch coil, we have tried the tape vs. just writing on the plastic. To no avail. I have the biomed and facilities departments looking into the steam saturation now, too see if the steam is just too wet.

[cpdguy]

contact me off line.thank you