Post-Surgical Duties, Packing and Wrapping 1

Question 1

What tasks do you think a nurse needs to do post surgery?

Answer 1

Attend to sharps - remove blades, needles into container
Soak ET Tubes
Soak instruments in enzymes
Dispose/package tissue/organs (organic matter) in biohazard bag or pottle for packaging
Clean out rubbish bin in surgery room
Clean trolley
Vacuum
Mop
Clean table

Question 2

What sharps hazards are there when cleaning post surgery?

Answer 2

Bone cutting blades
Sharp tipped retractors (Senn retractor, Gelpi retractor etc)
Orthopaedic pins and wire

Question 3

What is medical waste?

Answer 3

Organic material:
Body tissue
Bloody swabs

Question 4

How is medical waste disposed of?

Answer 4

Freezer for pick up by medical company for incineration and biohazard bags

Question 5

What is sharps waste?

Answer 5

Sharp items:
Scalpel
Needle
Wire

Question 6

How are sharps disposed of?

Answer 6

Sharps bin

Question 7

What do we soak instruments in?

Answer 7

Enzyme cleaner

Question 8

Why and how do we soak instruments in enzyme cleaner?

Answer 8

Enzyme cleaner eats organic material - proteins and fats)
Keep instruments open so enzyme can reach all surface areas
Use cold water as warm or hot water cooks on any blood/tissue
Use gloves
All instruments opened for a procedure must be cleaned
Soak instruments immediately after use

Question 9

What do we use to clean surgical instruments?

Answer 9

Submerge in cool water containing a mild non corrosive detergent
Clean manually with soft bristled brush
Abrasive pads or cleaners remove the passivated layer and create mini grooves and abrasions - avoid these

Question 10

What are ultrasonic cleaners?

Answer 10

Removes up to 90% of instrument soil in 5 minute cycle
Cleans by process called cavitation - implosion of bubbles
Effectiveness depends on:
Temp of solution
Gas content of solution
Detergent used

Question 11

How and why do we rinse surgical instruments?

Answer 11

Rinse with distilled water (pH 6.7 - 7.2)
Washes off alkaline water and detergent
Gives surface of the instruments a neutral pH

Question 12

What is instrument milk?

Answer 12

Protects instruments
Do not wipe off
Guards against rusting, staining and corrosion
Improves instrument function
Inhibits bacterial growth
Allows optimum steam penetration

Question 13

What are delicate items and how do we clean them?

Answer 13

Electrocautery hand-piece and cathodes - wipe down with a damp swab
Surgical staplers - ways and rinse well. Remove last 1 or 2 staples. Dry
Scrub brushes - wash well. Dry
Suction Hand piece - wash well. Dry

Question 14

How do we clean surgical linen?

Answer 14

Blood soaked textiles (gowns, drapes, kit wraps) should be well rinsed before soaking and laundering

Question 15

What type of textiles are used in surgery?

Answer 15

Woven textiles

Microfibres

Question 16

What are woven textiles?

Answer 16

100% cotton or polycotton mix
Minimum thread count should be 140 per 2.5cm2
Woven surgical gowns and drapes are traditionally green 
Must be;
Laundered
Inspected
De-linted
Folded between use

Question 17

What are microfibres?

Answer 17

100% polyester fabrics
Non-woven material
Synthetic fabric bonded under pressure
Used for single use disposable gowns

Question 18

How do we launder woven surgical textiles?

Answer 18

(Gowns and drapes)
Excessively soiled items should be soaked in cold water before laundering
Ensure item is completely cleaned and dried
Don't place surgical items on the line
Check item before folding for;
Holes
Lint
Required repairs