Tape On Containers

[bonbon]

We put the Instrument Count Sheets on the out side of our containers. I am looking for alternatives to using Steam Tape to hold the lists on the containers. The tape leaves a sticky residue. Like most decontamination areas the employee's are busy and don't want to make time to remove the residue with adhesive remover. The Sticky tape presents an infection control issue if left on the lids. I am hoping a manufacture has come up with a device to contain the count sheets on the outside of the pan. Does any one have any ideas?

[lcox]

Instead of putting the count sheets on the lids, or anywhere on the outside of the containers, we put our count sheets inside but never on the instruments. The count sheet must go between the basket that holds the instruments, and the container itself. This way no paper or ink are touching the instruments, and the count sheets don't disappear from being on the outside of the container.

[allis]

In my facility we don't attach any kind of tapes to our containers, neither do we put tray lists inside those containers. Both practices would certainly be considered unacceptable! Tray lists are attached to the containers handles using a stapler or a piece of the appropriate tape. We prefer the use of a stapler however.

[Chuck Hughes]

AORN Standards recommend not placing count sheets inside wrapped trays or rigid containers, because there is no documentation the paper and toner ink is safe. Facilities wishing to validate the safety of their specific count sheets, may contact me off line as this is a service our Laboratory provides.

Chuck Hughes

[Sandy Peters]

Does anyone have ordering information for a paper-type sleeve that you can put count sheets in to place on the inside of rigid containers. I was told there is such a thing but I can't seem to find ordering information on it. Thanks for your help.

[walter r steiger]

we do not use count sheets we keep count sheets in all of our O.R. rooms

[RNSHAMBLS]

How do you know if the trays are correct or who put them together if you just keep the sheets in the rooms?:confused:

[Chuck Hughes]

Sandy,

You are asking about all paper bags which are sold by most dental suppliers and medical companies, such as Healthmark. While placing your count sheet inside will eliminate the transfer of paper and/or ink to instruments, it does not answer the question of safety. Only a cytotoxicity test will tell you if the count sheet materials are safe for patient contact. Chech out the March edition of the AORN journal regarding an article about count sheets and need for HC facilites to have testing done.

Chuck

[Chris T]

What other options are there? We have over 500 count sheets that we use for our intrumentation. Our wrapped sets have the count sheet taped to the outside. Our ridgid containers have the sheets inside with the print facing up away from the instruments.

[Harvey Johnson]

We have been enclosing count sheets inside the approved for sterilization paper bags from Healthmark,(after efficacy testing with multiple biologicals and assuring no leaching of ink or paper lint) placing them inside trays for several years now without indcident or complaints.
We are aware of the AORN "recommendation" which was published only on speculation of the possible dangers of ink and paper chemicals which (to date) no formal testing lab has proven the practice safe or not safe.
Each processing department should develop and follow a policy of what they consider to be best practice based upon research, testing (both in house and professinal) and analyzing results according to their department's individual circumstances.