when Outpatient Surgery con-
ducted a similar survey, we
found that 60% of respondents
were not using safety scalpels
in their ORs compared to
56.45% today.
The No. 1 reason our
respondents cited for not
using safety scalpels:
Surgeons refuse to use them
(65.38%). A distant second:
Facility has not found accept-
able safety scalpel
brand/model (35.38%).
• Preference. Safety scalpel
users prefer disposable plastic
(64.52%) to reusable metal
(35.48%) handles by nearly a
2:1 margin. Similarly, they pre-
fer a safety sheath (60.8%) to a
retractable blade (31.2%).
• Cost could be a factor. More than half (56.91%) of our respondents
believe that safety scalpels are safer than traditional non-safety
scalpels, but also note that they cost more. Some add that the blades
on disposable scalpels dull faster, so they go through more safety
scalpels during a case. "Cost could be a factor, but safety will win out.
The sharpness of the blade and ease of exposing the blade are the
biggest factors," says a respondent.
• Holding steady. While about two-thirds (65.38%) say scalpel usage
at their facilities has stayed the same over the last 5 years, 10.99% say
3 4 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • M A Y 2 0 1 9
13.81
% I believe they are
safer than traditional
non-safety scalpels and cost less.
56.91
% I believe they are
safer than traditional
non-safety scalpels, although they
cost more.
29.28
% I only would use
them because of
compliance and mandates.
SOURCE: Outpatient Surgery
Magazine Survey, April 2019,
187 respondents
Which statement best
reflects how you feel
about safety sharps?
