Towel Clips

[MBacian]

According to AAMI, instruments with ratchets have to be opened during sterilization for them to be considered sterile. There has been some debate between the OR and SPD about our towel clips and whether they should be opened or closed.

Do opened towel clips pose a safety hazard for the OR staff?
If they are in fact closed, are they not sterile?
What do you guys think?
Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks!

[chipmoore]

It may take BI testing under lab conditions to determine whether the steam reaches all surfaces (using inoculated or BI strips between the jaws). I do know that not long ago I had a similar question about bulldog clamps that are normally closed and require hand pressure to open. The Mfg did the testing in a lab and was able to demonstrate a 12 log reduction with the jaws in the closed position. Regards your question, best to ask the Mfg of the towel clips what they recommend for steam contact to all surfaces.
Chip Moore
Rochester, NY
Retired, but involved

[barry govenor]

concerning the bulldog: we place our steam indicator between the jaws of bulldogs--we can usually get 5 or 6 clamped to the indicator-which is the most we would use anyway.

I've always felt a little guilty about leaving towel clips closed but know what it is like to get hooked by one when assemblying instruments.

Best way to proceed, I believe, is to leave towel clips and scissors open but in a designated corner of the instrument sets where those doing the assembly can easily spot them.

[fkrizman]

I have never had a problem leaving towel clips open on an instrument stringer. I have always wondered however, about the bone clamps in our fracture trays. To fit in the manufactures trays they must be closed. They are similar to towel clamps.