1 4
O U T P A T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | A P R I L 2 0 1 5
P r a c t i c a l p e a r l s f r o m y o u r c o l l e a g u e s
I D E A S T H A T W O R K
P U R P L E H A Z E
Why Would You Swirl a Marker Into a Clear Liquid?
W
hen we have more than one clear liquid on the sterile
field, including one that's not to be injected — usually a
topical of some sort — we eliminate any possibility of a
mix-up by swirling a surgical marker in the non-injectable fluid. That
turns it purple and eliminates any potential confusion. An example: a
nasal spray like Afrin, which is used during ear, nose, and throat sur-
gery to improve visualization of the airway and to minimize post-oper-
ative bleeding.
Theda Kontis, MD, FACS Facial Plastic Surgicenter
tckontis@aol.com Baltimore, Md.
z TO DYE FOR No one is going to accidentally
inject purple fluid — in this case Afrin.
Theda
Kontis,
MD,
FACS
Editor's Note
A few caveats with this tip:
• AORN says to label all
solutions on the sterile
field.
• Surgical site markers
are intended for use on
skin only.
• Although the solution is
not being injected, it —
and the marker dye —
could come in contact
with a patient's mucous
membranes.
