O C T O B E R 2 0 1 7 O U T P A T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T 4 9
Remind surgeons that they
aren't the only ones at risk of
being cut. In fact, most scalpel
injuries occur when convention-
al instrumentation is being assembled and disassembled, when it's being
passed between surgical team members and when blades are disposed of.
Surgical techs, surgical assistants and nurses constantly handle scalpels during
these tasks, meaning they're in danger of being exposed to potentially infec-
tious blood and bodily fluid. Safety scalpels would reduce the potential for
injury to surgical team members, but surgeons, who are the least likely to get
injured and therefore don't have as strong a perceived self-risk, are reluctant to
switch to safer blades. Tapping into their concern for the well-being of the peo-
ple they work with on a daily basis might convince them otherwise.
2. Emphasize
the dangers
Needlesticks and scalpel
cuts are equally worri-
some with respect to
exposure to numerous
bloodborne pathogens,
but scalpels can also
slice through tissue and
tendons. Scalpel injuries
cause larger wounds,
expose more tissue and
produce more blood, and
therefore increase cross-
contamination risks
P
Doesn't it make sense that surgeons
want to work with scalpels that have
the feel, quality and precision of the
instruments they currently use?
