The reusable textiles used in operating rooms are fluid permeable, and therefore do not provide barrier function during surgery. There is no control over the use of textiles (after how many times after washing, disinfection and sterilization, woven fabrics must be considered ineffective) .
European Standard EN13795-1:2019 "Surgical gowns and drapes. Requirements and test methods" (Lithuanian standard status - LST EN 13795-1:2019)
The aim of the standard is to protect the patient and medical staff from transmission of infection during surgical interventions. applies to: all textile/non-woven surgical drapes and gowns – both reusable and disposable.
Surgical drapes and gowns must meet the safety and quality requirements in accordance with the requirements specified in the standard: resistance to microbial penetration (dry), tensile strength, tear strength, resistance to fluid penetration (wet), fluffiness
Surgical site infection
Operating Room Infection Control (SSI – Surgical Site Infection) is one of the most common complications after surgery and the main factor (≥5 percent) that determines the remorbidity and re-hospitalization of patients (Young and Khadaroo, 2014).
In the US, between 300,000 and 500,000 cases of postoperative complications of SSI occur annually, of which 10-16 occur after clean operations, in Europe SSI accounts for from 2 to 20%, and in Germany alone there are from 60,000 to 128,000 cases every year (Liu et al., 2023).
In patients who have experienced SSI, their stay in the hospital is prolonged, the cost of treatment and nursing increases, and the risk of mortality increases.
SSI infection control and prevention are important indicators of operational quality management, guaranteeing the use of sterile kits for procedures.
Using reusable cotton textiles in the operating theatre
Traditional surgical drapes are usually made of cotton fabric, which has a relatively short shelf life after sterilisation, low permeability, and is easily penetrated by washing liquids, blood, urine and sweat (Cao et al., 2018).
In addition, as time increases, cotton threads or loose ends can enter the wound and carry bacteria that can contaminate the incision. Although disinfection and sterilisation technologies have improved considerably, studies show that cotton surgical drapes are often very worn out and their barrier strength is significantly reduced after 25 washes, increasing the risk of surgical site infection for patients (Birgdan et al., 2015).
- humidity
- number of washes,
- storage environment,
- sterilisation and
- the duration of the surgical operations in which they are used (Kishwar et al., 2020)
Surgical gowns and drapes should have certain specific characteristics: the ability to resist abrasions, lacerations, flames, fluid, bacterial impactions and any discharge
Sterile kits for procedures
As an alternativeą traditional solutions worthwhile bookmark specialiseus disposable blankets and aids kitsus. This is sterile kits adapted to the specific type of operation (e.g. custom packs/ sterile procedure trays). Specialised sspecialised kits (SSR) include everything needed for the procedurei, are compact, ready-to-use and can be ordered in just one item number instead of dozens. Such kits significantly reduce material handling efforts and pre-operative preparation time, leaving more time for patient treatment. Opening fewer packages also reduces the risk of contamination (Cardoen et al., 2015; https://www.medline.eu/sterile-procedure-trays).
As an alternativeą traditional solutions worthwhile bookmark specialiseus disposable blankets and aids kitsus. This is sterile kits adapted to the specific type of operation (e.g. custom packs/ sterile procedure trays). Specialised sspecialised kits (SSR) include everything needed for the procedurei, are compact, ready-to-use and can be ordered in just one item number instead of dozens. Such kits significantly reduce material handling efforts and pre-operative preparation time, leaving more time for patient treatment. Opening fewer packages also reduces the risk of contamination (Cardoen et al., 2015; https://www.medline.eu/sterile-procedure-trays).
Products
CAESAREAN SECTION KIT
The Medline SPTSmart Full-Incision C-section Pack is a standard surgical pack containing the components to perform caesarean sections in the most efficient and safest conditions. This pack is particularly suitable for full C-shaped cuts.
STANDARD SURGICAL PACKAGING
"The Medline SPTSmart Major General Procedure Pack is a standard surgical pack containing components for the safe and sterile performance of general procedures. Reinforced elements on the main curtains of this pack also help blood and fluid contamination to penetrate.
KNEE ARTHROSCOPY PACKAGING
The Medline SPTSmart Knee Arthroscopy Pack II is a standard surgical package containing components designed to perform arthroscopic knee surgery in the most efficient and safest conditions. This is due to the large double-layered knee covering, as well as the camera used for arthroscopy. This pack also contains one cotton jersey.
AMBERLINK SMART WARDROBE
Ideal for small, precious and implantable items. The cabinet automatically tracks the movement of supplies to the patient. You can do away with time-consuming manual monitoring and recording in the patient record. SmartCabinet does everything for you
