you can use to increase
sharps safety in your ORs.
1. Hands-free passing
Set clear expectations that
sharps must be passed
through a neutral zone, the
location of which should be
announced during the pre-op
time out. Hands-free passing
demands constant communi-
cation. Surgeons, techs and nurses must clearly announce when
sharps are placed in the neutral zone and keep their hands clear of
the area until the items are removed by the intended recipient.
Before removing sharps from the neutral zone, team members
should always confirm that items have been placed safely in the desig-
nated area and passers have withdrawn their hands. Multiple items
should never be in the neutral zone at the same time. Also, a sharp
should be placed in such a way that the staff member or surgeon
who's receiving it can grab behind the sharp end or point without hav-
ing to reposition the item.
2. Be willing to adapt
Ms. Kratochvil initially mandated the use of a commercially avail-
able neutral zone pad, but backed off the requirement when some
surgeons and staff opted not to use it.
The neutral zone pad is still made available for cases, but surgical
teams are permitted to determine what they'll use as a neutral zone (a
basin, a folded towel) and where it will be placed (on the mayo stand,
a corner of the sterile field) as long as everyone in the room verbally
2 0 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • O C T O B E R 2 0 1 9
• SAFE SPOT The surgical team should identify the neutral zone
before surgery begins and announce its location during the time out.
