using them. Surgeons initially
pushed back against them, in large
part because the early generations
didn't have the weight or ergonomic
feel of conventional blades. They
still might hesitate to adopt safety
scalpels, but concerns about the
functionality of the blades are
becoming less common, thanks to
newer models that more closely
match the weight and feel of tradi-
tional scalpels.
Besides, surgeons are creative sci-
entists who have received upwards
of 12 years of intense surgical train-
ing. Why can't they adapt to using
safety scalpels? The protective
sheath at the sharp end of the blade
might interfere with cutting deep
within the abdomen, but that situation rarely arises during minimally
invasive surgery, which is commonplace in today's ORs. The scalpel
has evolved from the extension of a surgeon's arm to a simple tool
that's used for opening the skin for laparoscopic access. There's really
no good excuse for not using a safety blade to make that routine first
cut of surgery.
3
Double gloves
Doubling up on gloves significantly reduces the amount of blood
that reaches the hands and somewhat limits the likelihood that
errant sharps will penetrate both layers. Glove manufacturers have
J U N E 2 0 1 7 • O U T PA T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T • 1 2 3
• SHARP CRITICISM Dr. Davis's latest book,
Irresponsible, holds surgeons accountable to sharps
safety practices (osmag.net/WRnK8q).
