who replaces the scews/plates etc?

[Guest]

I need some info please. Who is responsible for replacing screws and plates that are used out of your synthes/zimmer trays after a case? The OR, or CS?
Thanks im advance for your input.

[dongordon]

I believe it depends on the hospital.
Currently, in my hospital, it is the OR that has this responsibility. However, we will be moving to transfer this responsibility to CS in the future.

This would be a good question to start a poll on the discussion forum.

Don

[ladyj]

Our CS staff replace implants to sets during reassembling process. the implants are kept in CS - reordering is done by Orthopaedic coordinator as needed.

[Guest]

The CS tech. in our hospital also replaces and orders all screws in sets.

[amandahazel]

At my facility CS/SPD replaces the screws and plates on the sets we own. We order stock on a weekly basis to ensure we have enough to fill our sets.

If a tray is on consignment but kept at our facility on a regular basis, then we call the rep and have them come in the same day (if possible) and refill the set.

[Guest]

Thanks for all of your input. At our hospital, we are part of the OR. We are located within the surgery dept. OR has one person that orders all of the supplies including screws, plates, etc. I have myself and 2 others within the sterile processing area. My thought is that the person doing the ordering and keeping track of the plates and screws should be the one to replace them. That way she/he always knows what needs re-ordered and can keep better track. Right now, whoever the scrub tech was is responsible and then we (CS) double check it. Well, here as of late, the scrubs have been taking screws out of the trays, and then not using them and placing them back into the wrong holes. I dont think its our place to take every screw out and measure it to make certain it is in the right hole before we process it.
Soooo, this is the reason I asked this question in the first place.
Thanks again!!

[dbarnes]

CS personnel order and replace the screws and plates. At our hospital we are apart of the surgical services department under one director.

[Guest]

Our hospital has tried various solutions to this problem. Final result: OR staff (tech/circulator) log usage on implant logs, computerized periop charting bills based on usage, inventory is decremented by periop charting, order notice/report is compiled from data in periop charting and this ensures that MM has the correct information to order restock and then CS/SPD restocks the tray when shipment is received. If screws are missing, then we know somebody hasn't been charging per our policy and accountability falls back on the OR team due to their charting error.

[Kris]

Our O.R. replaces the items needed. It is easier for them to order and replace then for C.S.

[Guest]

Central Service replaces all screws and plates in the instrument sets at our facility.

[Guest]

we the sterile processing are responsible for the trays that leave our dept so we are the ones that must check them for errors even if we did not cause them. we clean up the mix ups as well as the restocking. We count and re string and replace insts and implants is seems a much smoother way to keep this process as simple and efficent as it can be given all the human factors involved.

[brendapaul]

The Nurse Manager from our out-patient surgery center has asked us (CS) to include the Synthes inventory sheets in the trays that they ocassionally borrow from the main OR. This does not set well with me for a couple of reasons.
1. If we do it for the few sets they may borrow then the OR will want it done for all there Synthes trays. (which is in excess of 50 trays) Alot of paper to have hanging around and added work when the OR has a current system that works fine for them.

2. It concerns me that all that paper in the set could interfer with the sterilization process. There argument to this is that we include a count sheet anyways.

Any feedback as to what you do at your hospitals would be greatly appreciated.

[eshep]

Instead of putting it in the tray when they request to borrow the tray just tape the content sheet to the outside of the tray.

[Sami CST]

My CS department replaces all orthopedic implants in the sets. We also do all of the ordering.

[dongordon]

Sami,

How do you keep track of your inventory for ordering?
Do you have a computerized system or manual?

Don

[Edie]

At our place the OR replaces all synthes screws and plates, and orders all the instrumentation that is needed. I thought we had enough to do, besides who knows better than the OR as to what they need.

[terryjackson]

I have see many different ways of refilling trays. Some places the OR refills paltes and screws before it is sent to Decontam. These have sshown to be smaller operations. Other places reps will refill as previous stated smaller places. Larger hospitals have either an inventroy tech do this function in the OR or it is done in Processing. I have always felt that Processing was were it should be performed. If your going to reprocess the tray you should do the entire operation.
Now saying that i also feel that the Processing staff must be properly educated in how this is to be done. The sales rep has the responsiblity to teach the techs the proper way to refill a tray and inform the staff of the functions of the parts of the tray. They should involve the OR staff who will be responisble for this tray once it is on the field.

Just my thoughts

Terry Jackson FCS
Consultant
SterilTek Inc

[Devaiah Muccatira]

HI!!!!

It's a good practice for every Cspd technician to fill in the trays with implants,and it's good to have experienced trainer train all the technician to fill the trays. Replacing implants in the area where its processed is effecient, and is cost effective.Periodic inservice will enhance the process.
A well defined inventory system with definded catalogue, pictures will assist the process.Systematic storage and facile accessibilty to the implants and proper documentation for replenishing the used implants will enhance the whole process.My personal thought is to put the idea of concepts which defines a tray with implants and to differenciate implants within the tray and between similar trays.These concepts can be deduced or evolved form application, functionality and with experience.

Regards
Devaiah

[Guest]

at our facility, it is up to the circulator to order anything that has to be replaced. she is the one who is documenting the information during the case, so she knows what is used and what is not. the tech is scrubbed in, so she has no way to document the info, and may not remember exactly what was used and what wasnt.