Peel Packs

[RussW]

Do you single or double peel pack your instruments?

[LGB at CMH]

It depends on the weight of the instrument being peel packed. Light items are single and heavy items are double. Hope that helps.

[RussW]

Thank you LGB at CMH. Our Surgery dept. insist that we dbl peel pack all of their instruments. I think I'm going to push back on this one.

[nmurd1]

Our O.R. insists that we double peel pack everything reguardless of weight. I have tried to explain that it is not necessary for everything. The sterile items from the outside are not doubled why should we do it? They don't want to hear it, this has been a battle for years. We wrap the heavier items in wrap at least they let us do that.

[wperez]

The reason you double peel pack all of surgical instruments is so that they can asceptically present the instrument to the sterile field. This is an AORN standard for many years and not one that we should try to eliminate.

[RussW]

Most of the supplies we send to Surgery are single peel pouched. They come this way from the manufacturer. I think individual instruments, i.e. tissue forceps, single pouched, can safely be opened without the risk of contaminating the sterile field.

[wperez]

I would definitely follow your OR request. 99% of my OR supplies have a second barrier drape that allows them to facilitate asepticpresentation to the sterile field. This is based on AORN and AAMI standards. Partner with the OR on this issue it will be to your benefit if they research this on thier own and find out what the industry standards recommend. Good Luck!