4 8 S U P P L E M E N T T O 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 C T O B E R 2 0 1 7
C
hances are you've witnessed a
sharps injury, or may have even
been sliced or stuck yourself, and know firsthand the deep
emotional and physical scars the injuries can cause. Safety
scalpels are a commonsense solution to limiting the risk of
cuts, but surgeons with deep-seated concerns about how the devices feel and
work are often the ones who need convincing. Flipping surgeons who push
back against the use of safety-engineered blades in their ORs demands a bit of
soft selling, some compelling data and plenty of persistence. Here are some
strategies worth trying.
1. Make it less about them
Sell Surgeons on Safety Scalpels
Emphasizing the personal and financial costs of
sharps injuries will help get safer blades into your ORs.
Ron Stoker, MS | Salt Lake City, Utah
UNDER COVER Safety shields protect the sur-
gical team members who pass scalpels to sur-
geons and dispose of blades after use.
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN,
CNOR