F L U I D
W A S T E
M A N A G E M E N T
understand the nuances of using them.
providers at our medium-sized surgery
alternative options. For now, we're holding
The rest of your staff and physicians must
center. I can't image how managers at
out hope that Stryker will weather the
complete in-services on the units and sign
large orthopedic centers or massive com-
storm and we'll eventually be able to use
device-related competencies. (Questions?
munity hospitals with ORs numbering in
their devices without the hassles we're cur-
E-mail
the 20s are dealing with the recall.
rently enduring. OSM
Looking ahead
Ms. Berreth (sb erreth@b rainerdlak essc.com) is the administrator
of the Brainerd Lakes Surgery
Center in Baxter, Minn.
strykerinstrumentsrecalls@stryker.com)
Stryker also sends warning labels to
stick on units that state, "Do not apply
Every surgical team that works with
high-flow suction or allow extended expo-
direct-to-drain systems can't imagine life in
sure of suction to tissue associated with
the OR without them. If you're thinking
procedures that require either no suction,
about improving how you manage fluid
low-vacuum or low-flow suction." In addi-
waste, upgrading to direct-to-drain is sure-
tion, the company provides a checklist
ly the way to go. So what do you do if
that must be completed and filed in the
you're already a Stryker customer or think-
patient's chart for every case in which the
ing about investing in direct-to-drain tech-
device is used — an added step for the
nology? Several options are on the market.
surgical team to complete when filling out
In fact, some of the company's devotees
operative paperwork. Stryker has told us
are legitimately frustrated and purchasing
they can perform unannounced on-site
fluid management solutions from other
audits and immediately take our units if a
vendors.
rep stops by and sees that we don't have
these regulations in place.
Us? We're not sure what to do. We
planned on buying an additional direct-to-
We've completed the re-educating
drain unit, upgrading the 2 units we current-
process and added the mandated checklist
ly have and adding a second docking station
to our perioperative routine. Dealing with
before the recall hit. Now the FDA is delay-
the red tape was challenging, but com-
ing the release of Stryker's next-generation
pletely doable for the 15 staff members,
system. I'd hate to lose a device that works
handful of docs and few anesthesia
so well, but we may be forced to consider
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SUPPLEMENT
TO
O U T PAT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E | M AY 2013
M AY 2013 | S U P P L E M E N T
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