What constitutes an implantable

[cindynrh]

There is some disagreement about what exactly constitutes an implantable device. Many are obvious, i.e. total knee prosthesis etc., but some are not so obvious. It is my contention that anything, i.e. K-wires, hemaclips, placed into the body for longer than the time of the procedure should be considered an implantable. Any feed back would be appreciated. CK

[jrc]

anything, i.e. K-wires, hemaclips, placed into the body for longer than the time of the procedure should be considered an implantable. CK
Couldn't have said it better.

[sonny1388]

I agree entirely! We treat k-wires, steinman pins, and anything that gets left in the body for longer than the procedure takes as an implant.

[Nannette Braley]

The CDC defines an implant as "anything that will be left in the body 30 days or longer". Many items on our trays could be implantables, or not, i.e. k-wires that could be used as guide wires and removed or left in as a pin. I always tell my staff to error on the safe side - any item that could be an implant is treated as an implant.

[Scarlette Sloan]

We say anything that stays in the patient after their closed is an implant. If you use a K-wire as a guide, but remove it, it not but if the dr. leaves it in as pin than it is. I say any item that could be an implant is treated as an implant. I hope this helps.
Scarlette