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A P R I L 2 0 1 4 | O U T P AT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E
devices they're not used to using, they'll work with them until they are.
That includes the oft-maligned safety scalpels that many surgeons still
resist using, perhaps because they haven't seriously considered the
devices since significant improvements have been made to older, clunky
models. Today's safety blades are weighted, well-balanced and available
with a wide variety of easy-to-use safety features, including retractable
blades and single-handed sheath activation.
You might still experience push-back from surgeons, but we've
found that simply making safety scalpels available is one of the keys
to getting them used. Our surgeons use retractable scalpels to make
small cuts — urologists make small incisions in testicles and ENT
docs make small incisions behind the ear for tympanoplasty. There's
nothing minor about sharps injury risks. No matter how minor the
procedure might seem, we're happy surgeons are willing to employ
the safer option.
• No more needlesticks.
All of our needles are self-capping, and our IV
catheters feature needles that automatically retract into the system
after use, which significantly decreases the risk of needlestick injuries.
• Double-gloving.
Any patient is
potentially an infec-
tion risk. Physicians
perform initial
health histories, but
patients might not
disclose infections
they have, so we
treat every patient
as if he's infectious.
That means all sur-
S H A R P S S A F E T Y
ZONE DEFENSE Hands-free passing
significantly lowers risks of sharps injuries.
Blessing
Hospital
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