2. Surgical Pack Preparation

Question 1

What are “recipes”?

Answer 1

Usually a recipe of what is included in the pack
Should include;
Name + quantity of each instrument in pack
Types and quantities of supplies (ex. # of gauze)
A photo or illustration of each instrument
Specify whether linen or paper is used to wrap the pack
Manufacturer’s guidelines for any instrument that req special handling and maintenance
Warranty info
Manufacturer’s contact info

Question 2

What are wrapping materials?

Answer 2

usually cotton, linen textile sor paper
Able to sustain heat and moisture
selectively permeable: steam/gas can penetrate and be easily exhaustible from pack. Microbes and dust particles must not be ale to enter middle of pack
resistant: resistant to damage when handled
Flexibility: needs to be able to conform to shape of the pack
Memory: after pack has been opened, material should lay in flat position
140-188 threads/sq “ - more important than weight or texture
separate from laundered nonsurgical laundry
Should be inspected each time washed
cotton best for textile wraps
discard of worn wraps - steam is unable to penetrate heatsealed patches well, stitches create passages for microbes
paper wraps - crepe paper is preferred over non crepe paper - should not be re-used

Question 3

How is the pack sealed?

Answer 3

include steam chemical indicator strip in pack, double wrapped
steam indicator tape - contents of pack, date sterilized, and initials of individual who prepared it should all be written on the tape

Question 4

What belongs in a surgical drape pack?

Answer 4

1 fenestrated drape, 4 hand towels, 1 mayo stand cover, steam chemical indicator strip
2-layer wrap and sealed w/ autoclave tape
what do we need to write on our autoclave tape - contents of pack (drape pack) - may include size of drap, date of sterilization, initials

Question 5

How do we fold a mayo stand cover?

Answer 5

1. fold open edge of cover over to create a lip - for surgeon to protect their cloves when placing over mayo stand
2. fold bottom edge of cover towards open edge - widtch of fold should be same as step 1
   3.Continue according from bottom to top
3. fold cover in half widthwise

Question 6

How do we fold a fenestrated drape?

Answer 6

1. open on flat surface. Extra layer of fabric (gray) faces the table. Orientatied perpendicular to you
2. Fold bottom edge of drape to middle of fenestration
3. fold free edge of drap towards ou so that it lines up w/ your initial fold
4. Flip folded part UNDER so that it reaches the fenestration and creates an accordion fold
5. repeat process on opposite side farthest from you.
   6.Fold L side in half so it reaches fenestration
6. Fold free edge of L so that it lines up with initial fold
   8.Flip folded edge under in an accordion fold so that it is lined up w/ middle of fenestration
   9.Repeat process on right side
7. fold drap in half so fenestration is visible, drap folded in same orientation as the fenestration

Question 7

What are some take home points about sx pack prep?

Answer 7

all items to be sterilized must be clean and in good condition
Wrap material needs to be durable enough to sustain sterilization process
- standardized packs for common procedures like spay/neuter packs
-packs need to fit into autoclave
- all packs should be wrapped using the same method so tey can be unwrapped in the same way
- a steam chemical indicator sttrip should be placed in middle of all packs
- outer wrap should be sealed w/ indicator tape to indicate that pack has been autoclaved and not opened