Rigid Sterilization Containers
An open-and-shut case for bypassing blue wrap.
W
hen instrument trays show up in the OR with torn, sliced
or otherwise compromised blue wrap, it's a major source
of frustration. Not just for the surgical teams who see their
preparations and start times delayed, but also for the sterile process-
ing technicians who have to rewrap and resterilize the instruments.
In our sterile processing department, we tried different kinds of
wrapping and padding to cut down the number of compromised trays,
but rigid sterilization containers really caught our attention. We were
set to undergo a top-to-bottom renovation, so why not piggyback a
switch from blue wrap to rigid containers onto it?
Solid benefits
The use of reusable hard cases as an alternative to single-use
polypropylene blue wrap for instrument sterilization and storage
doesn't require a multi-million-dollar facility upgrade, though. While
implementing the containers involves an upfront investment in new
equipment, it carries a multi-faceted payoff over the long term.
Placing trays of instruments to be sterilized into sealable stainless
steel or anodized aluminum containers provides an assurance of
infection prevention, since there's no worry that the outer protection
will tear as it's shelved, pulled or transported. You're also eliminating
the staffing time and supply cost of blue wrap, not to mention the dis-
posal cost and environmental impact of the waste it generates.
Keeping in mind
You'll want to keep a few factors in mind if you're planning to make
the switch from blue wrap. First, there will be a size difference, since
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Thinking of Buying …
John Meggs, MSC, CRCST
