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D E C E M B E R 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
or has a lot of fluids."
Experts say it's not only about
spillage of fluids. Some recommend
that underneath the table be checked
after every case to make sure that
small, contaminated items like sutures
haven't fallen. Ms. Wood says that if
there is a "reasonable concern" that
something dropped, it should be
moved. "It doesn't necessarily have to
be moved between every case, but it
doesn't hurt to check that something
contaminated didn't fall and get lost underneath."
7. Do you use turnover kits?
Many respondents say that turnover kits are their secret to speedy
turnovers. Using kits with "everything needed included in the
pack" means there are "no extra steps," says Lynda Dowman-
Simon, RN, a clinical educator at Mercy Surgery Center in
Springfield, Mo. "They're obviously not necessary," says Ms.
Wood. "But they can increase a facility's efficiency."
Another big help is having a facility-wide system to announce
turnovers, experts say. "It not only alerts any OR staff that are free
to assist, but also alerts PACU when a patient will be coming out of
the OR," says one respondent.
In general, Ms. Wood says that teamwork, planning and communica-
tion are crucial for a safe and efficient turnover. "Not planning just
wastes time," she says. "Turnover is more than just figuring out how
to clean the room."
OSM
Email
kgapinski@outpatientsurgery.net
R O O M T U R N O V E R
WIPING WONDERS Experts recom-
mend you follow manufacturers'
guidelines on the proper PPE to wear
and contact time for disinfectants.
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN
