Peel Pouches for STERRAD!

[allis]

We coil cables like Doppler Probes, Atrium and Ventricle Cables and we hold them with and integrator tied with a small piece of STERRAD tape. And then we put the cable inside the peel pouch. You got the picture?
Is it OK to have STERRAD tape inside a peel pouch? Thanks in advance for your input!

[ruthanne]

You can probably just give Sterrad a call to this to find out. My intuition says that putting the tape inside a package should be fine as long as you do not tape it to the item being sterilized. Just remember that anything under the tape will probably not get sterile in the Sterrad machine.

[allis]

You can probably just give Sterrad a call to this to find out. My intuition says that putting the tape inside a package should be fine as long as you do not tape it to the item being sterilized. Just remember that anything under the tape will probably not get sterile in the Sterrad machine.
Thanks Ruthanne! My real concern however is this: the tape is an external indicator. How could it be inside a peel pouch?

[ruthanne]

Thanks Ruthanne! My real concern however is this: the tape is an external indicator. How could it be inside a peel pouch?

As long as you aren't using the tape as an indicator (you should use a separate indicator), I don't see how it could be an issue.

[allis]

As long as you aren't using the tape as an indicator (you should use a separate indicator), I don't see how it could be an issue.
Yes, in my view it could be a very serious issue. We don't know about the chemicals present on those tapes, therefore it would be unsafe to keep instruments and tape inside a peel pouch. Tapes are external indicators, and I think they must be used as such.

[Harvey Johnson]

We cut peel pouches in one inch strips across the width the size we need creating a loop to hold cords and place the items inside the peel pouch plastic to plastic and paper to paper. Works for us and no worries about tape.......

[allis]

We cut peel pouches in one inch strips across the width the size we need creating a loop to hold cords and place the items inside the peel pouch plastic to plastic and paper to paper. Works for us and no worries about tape.......
It took me a while to understand what you meant Harv! I finally got your idea, and I really think it's a good practice. No need of tape to hold cords. I thank you so much Harv!

[Harvey Johnson]

Hi allis,
I was debating how to describe it without too much complication...... glad you got it, the loops really are handy and depending on the size of the coil you can cut across the smaller pouches to create loops for smaller cables and cut larger peel pouches for light cords, etc.

[allis]

Hi allis,
I was debating how to describe it without too much complication...... glad you got it, the loops really are handy and depending on the size of the coil you can cut across the smaller pouches to create loops for smaller cables and cut larger peel pouches for light cords, etc.
I finally did get it Harv! What do you really think of tape inside peel pouches? I've been fighting against that for years in my facility, but without any result. I would not say in vain though!
I also have a problem with loaner trays. Reps bring loaner trays to my facility, and very often those trays come with layers and layers of tapes on them. I always remove those tapes, but it seems I am the only person who does that. It's really time consuming. The reps think tape on trays is not a problem. What could you tell us about that Harv? Thanks in advance for your input and have a blessed new year. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!