3. Space considerations.
Containers take up significantly more
space than wrapped surgical trays, so a switch would require consider-
ing your facility's layout and workflows. Unless you have an extra set of
containers, they'll always be in use. The only thing to keep in mind is
that you'll need a staging area for the containers as the surgical sets they
transport for decontamination, assembly and inspection are being steril-
ized. Even though it takes less space to store wrap, some facilities may
not consistently adhere to the Association for the Advancement of
Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) guidelines. Wrap is often stacked,
which leads to creases and punctures that set the unsterilized process
into motion.
4. Don't forget about the oddball sets.
When you call the
manufacturer, be ready to give them a precise inventory of your surgi-
cal sets. The size of your sets will determine the size of the containers
you'll need and ultimately your cost. When preparing this information,
remember to consider loaner sets and sets you have in the facility on
consignment. I've known a lot of facilities that haven't taken those spe-
cialized orthopedic or surgical sets into consideration. The loaners
tend to be odd shapes, which vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.
They'll need a special container, or you'll need to have wrap on hand
for those sets. Neglecting to take the sets that are not owned by your
facility into account could throw off your cost considerations.
5. Consider the weight.
Remember the rule of thumb that no sur-
gical set headed for sterilization should weigh more than 25 pounds,
including the weight of the container. That's according to the AAMI
guidelines and manufacturers' instructions for use (IFU). Not exceeding
that weight limit is important for many reasons, from ensuring the sets
aren't too tightly packed to reducing the effectiveness of the steriliza-
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