AORN Chapter 1425

Wipe and Flush Instruments During a Procedure to Prevent Biofilms

👉The numbers don’t lie - surgical site infections (SSI’s) make up more than 40% of adult health care–associated infections. Multidrug resistance to the two most reported pathogens, 😷 Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, means that treating infections is becoming even more tricky.

Biofilms result when microbes become attached to surfaces, forming a mass that is difficult to remove. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shared that bacteria within biofilms are up to 1,000 times more resistant to antimicrobials than are the same bacteria in suspension.

Reducing Biofilms
✔To prevent the development of SSIs, wipe and flush ✂ surgical instruments used during procedures to reduce the build-up of biofilms on them.

Point-of-Use Treatment
✔The surgical technologist should use sterile water 💦 to wipe and flush the instruments and keep them moist during the procedure. Nix the normal saline! The sodium chloride can cause pitting and rusting on the instruments, creating microscopic spaces where biofilm can form.

Following the Manufacturer's IFU
✔ Not sure? Check the equipment’s instructions for use (IFU). An IFU for reusable medical devices may instruct you avoid solutions with a high chlorine content or specify that cannulated devices should be flushed with sterile or purified water.

📌 Save this post for future reference! Revisit these steps and share your biofilm prevention tips in the comments.

https://bit.ly/3L96x8z

Looking for a career change?! Check out our openings :-)

Careers - Explore Job Opportunities | Carle Health Each and every employee at Carle makes us better and stronger, so we can take care of our patients and community. Browse available positions today.

This AORN Journal article provides an overview of the recently updated AORN “Guideline for design and maintenance of the surgical suite” and discusses recommendations for the interdisciplinary team, planning and designing the surgical suite, construction-related environmental contamination, ORs, and OR maintenance. https://bit.ly/48NUKWZ

Knowledge Check: When the patient is in the supine position with the arms at the sides, where should you tuck the draw sheet?

Join us June 23 at 1PM ET for a complimentary webinar to review skin closure methods focused postoperative mobility and infection prevention for patients undergoing orthopedic procedures. | 1 CH | Sponsored by Stryker
Register Today: https://bit.ly/3a9YFEq

The nurses have spoken – or selfied – their votes on the most innovative solution in the Expo Hall and the winner is… Intuitive with their Da Vinci System! Thanks to everyone that participated. Congrats Intuitive on winning the periop choice award!

Join us Jan. 18 for a live webinar focused on best practices to maintain patient normothermia and unpack the reasons why prewarming with intraoperative warming is beneficial. Earn 1 CH | No Registration Fee | Sponsored by 3M Health Care | Register: https://bit.ly/3spwhph

Are any of your actions in the OR contributing to unintended hypothermia? Discover which practices lead to this condition and how to avoid them. Live Webinar Jan. 18 | Earn 1 CH | Sponsored by 3M Health Care | Register: https://bit.ly/3spwhph

🎃Thanks to all who participated in the Pumpkin Decorating Contest at the Main OR at Carle Hospital!! Check out some of our winners and entries! 🎃

📣Calling all local Peri-Operative Nurses!!!📣

📚 CE opportunity (smoke evacuation) and business meeting at 5:30pm, Wed Sept 8th!📚

📍Location: Carle Hospital, 611 W Park, Urbana. HVI Conference Room.

⭐️Hope to see you there!!⭐️
(Not a member?? Feel free to come and check it out!)