7 6 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • J U N E 2 0 1 7
5. NO HARM DONE The
circulator or scrub tech
check rigid containers
and wrapped instru-
ments to ensure the
integrity of both remains
intact. If the tape on
wrapped trays is torn,
the instruments are
immediately returned to
the sterile processing
department. Our goal is
to fully convert to using
rigid sterilization con-
tainers within 2 years. In
the meantime, we place
autoclavable rectangular plastic trays and rubber tray protectors
under wrapped instrument trays before loading them into the steril-
izer, to prevent perforations and tears.
6. TIMEOUT TOPIC
Confirming instru-
ment sterility during
pre-op briefings has
been one of the key
steps to making the
program work. The
OR team confirms
that 4- or 5-point
checks have been
