Baby Blankets in sets

[cmacisaac]

Does anyone know of a standard regarding the use of baby blankets inside a C-Section kit on top of instruments?
We also use huck towels and spinal sheets on top of most trays of instruments, is this a standard validated practice?
Cindy

[jrc]

I have not heard of sterilizing baby blankets. I would have to wonder why you would want to do that. If it's only to wrap up a baby, it would not need to be sterile. I was in the room when both of my children were born by C-section, and once they were removed from the uterus they never came near the sterile field again.

Regarding sterilizing other linens in instrument sets: I have never seen anything validating the process. It's such a common practice that I never questioned it. It is worth looking into, though.

[Diane]

We also put baby blankets in with the c-section instruments. Been doing that for years. We also have some up separate.

[djw]

We sterilize ALL our baby blankets-two in each vag. delivery set and 2ea. wrapped separately for c-sections. Also, we sterilize room packs for people with allergies-sheets, towels, gowns, all of the linen a person would need for a day as an in-patient x length of stay. I don't understand this at all. Sterilization doesn't remove anything from the linen-soap is the culprit for allergic reactions I assume. The only reason I see for linen sterilization is burn packs.:confused:

[jrc]

Sterilization doesn't remove anything from the linen-soap is the culprit for allergic reactions I assume. The only reason I see for linen sterilization is burn packs.:confused:
If the allergen is a protein that would be denatured by the steam (as many are), then autoclaving the linen could prevent allergic reactions. It would depend on what the individual patient is allergic to. I suspect that it is probably not a protein because the skin irritation from linens is usually a contact dermatitis, not a true allergic reaction.

(Wouldn't Dr. Wolf be proud I remembered something from that immunology class I took 10 years ago?:) )

[sonny1388]

That is an interesting question. We also sterilize baby blankets and I do know that they use them after C-sections, but not after vaginal deliveries. I just asked our director who informed me that this is because the doctor (sterilie) hands the baby off to the pediatrician (not sterile) who recieves the baby in the blanket, thus (trying!) to conserve sterility as the doctor goes back to operating. An alternative to this, I would imagine, would be for the doc to change gloves after handing the baby off.

[kmrn]

It is actually not a time in the surgery that a physician would be able to change gloves...much is happening, and the Mother is bleeding more at this particular time in the surgery than any other.
WE have sterilized blankets in the past for the reason stated by the Dr., but we now have disposable blankets in our sterile packs, so do not anymore.
Kathy

[sonny1388]

I have seen times when a doctor will wear an extra pair of gloves that can be removed after contaminating them, such as in draping and the like, which may save time over changing the gloves completely. I am, of course not a doctor and can only make the suggestions. It is entirely up to them, and ours continue using the blankets. As I don't see any problem with sterilizing the linen, it matters not to me! :D