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and rub the sanitizer where the tape is sticking to release the adhesive. (This method has
the added benefit of a microbial kill.) Some practitioners argue that you can painlessly
remove the Tegaderm that covers the IV site with even less fuss. Just hold the catheter hub
stable with your non-dominant hand while stretching the film out (to release the stickiness)
and up (to peel it off) with your other hand.
• Quicker hair picker-upper. A bit of surgical tape is often used
for picking up loose hair after pre-surgical clippings, but a lint
roller is easier to hold onto and more convenient to use for keep-
ing patients' skin and linens contaminant-free. Or try this: Slip
your fingers into one of those "PACKING LIST ENCLOSED" shipping
labels (they can be inexpensively obtained at office supply
stores) and peel off the backing to make an adhesive glove.
• Sticky grounding pads. After you remove a cautery pad from
a patient, it can serve you one more use before it goes into the
bin. Use it to pick up suture, paper or other debris that's fallen
onto the floor — the sticky grounding pads will pick up practically
anything; you don't even have to bend over.
• When it's time to scour. Don't waste time bringing
out the mop and a bucket of disinfectant for small but
stubborn floor stains such as dirt, scuff marks, blood or
prep. Instead, just moisten an ordinary household
scrub sponge (cost: less than a dollar) with your facili-
ty's approved cleaning solution, drop it on the floor and
work it with your foot. Easy to do and easy to dispose of.