Environment of Care
Adhesive that is not allowed in the department
What is tape?
Jewelry is kept at a minimum. No dangling earrings or bracelets. When scrubbed in all earrings must be confined inside the scrub hat. Necklaces are not to dangle over scrub top and should be covered by sterile gown when scrubbed in. Rings and watches need to be removed prior to donning the sterile gown and gloves.
What is our jewelry policy?
This point of use product helps keep our instruments safe from pitting by preventing the drying of blood and other bioburden.
What is Pre-Klenz?
A supply item that has passed its designated date for safe use.
What is a outdate?
Patient identifiers that all time out participants must say.
What is the patient name and date of birth?
Reddish-brown substance that forms on iron or steel from excessive moisture that we want to get rid of in the department.
What is rust?
This is to be worn with the snapped closed during patient skin antisepsis.
What is a scrub jacket?
Once widely used to identify specific instruments for sets or peel packs, this adhesive strip has fallen out of favor and has been removed from the majority of our instruments.
What is peel pack tape?
These items must be labeled on the back table.
What are fluids and medications?
This must happen when the time out begins and continue through completion of the time out.
What is cease all of activity?
Critical safety component located outside of the ORs that cannot be blocked by equipment.
What is a medical gas shut-off?
These items are to be worn to cover facial hair and contain hair on the head.
Beard cover and skullcap or bouffant
This type of instrument should never be found in a 'locked' position, which may pose a risk to sterility if processed as such.
What is a ratcheted instrument?
The nursing documentation that describes if something was added to tissue before implanting.
What is tissue reconstitution?
Form presented during Time Out when patient cannot be marked for laterality.
What is the anatomical diagram?
This chemical we use to clean the OR suites and must dwell for 3 minutes to properly kill the bacteria.
What is the Virex Plus?
Artificial nail coverings are not allowed: acrylics, tips, tapes, gel overlays, any appliqués other than those made of nail polish. Natural fingernails cannot be longer than 1/4 inch. Polish is allowed for non-scrubbed personnel, but must not have chips or cracks.
What is our nail policy?
This device with bearing Christmas colors changes to demonstrate that all critical processes for sterilization have happened in the autoclave cycle.
What is a Type (or Level) 5 Chemical Integrator?
Oxygen tanks must be placed in this during transport
What is a holder?
The assessment covers the following: surgical site above the xyphoid, presence of open oxygen source, and available ignition source.
What is the Fire Risk Assessment?
This is the height requirement required in our storage rooms from the top of our storage racks to the ceiling. If the sprinklers were to be activated, it allows the water to properly disperse.
18 inches
This item cannot be draped on equipment as it impairs the integrity and could lead to breakage overtime.
What is radiology lead?
The danger of bacteria forming this and surviving the sterilization process is why it's so important that none of our instruments contain pitting.
What is biofilm (or a bio shell)?
A structure to be mindful of when moving equipment because if damaged is an infection prevention risk.
What is drywall?
The process where the following items are reviewed: cavity swept (if applicable), final count verified, confirmation of procedure performed, wound class, specimens, blood loss, intentional packing and any safety concerns.
What is the post-procedure debrief?