Methods and systems for holding surgical instrument count sheets

Abstract

The disclosure includes systems and methods for hospital based sterilization of surgical instruments. An exemplary system includes a wrapped sterilization tray or container defining at least one opening to permit a sterilant to pass therethrough and least one surgical instrument disposed in the sterilization tray. The system still further includes a count sheet holder disposed on the sterilization wrap or container. The count sheet holder defines a compartment for receiving a count sheet and means for attaching the count sheet holder to the sterilization container or wrapped tray.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This patent application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 360,975, filed Jul. 2, 2010. The aforementioned patent application is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Field of the Disclosure[0003]The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for sterilizing surgical instruments and related equipment. Particularly, the present disclosure is directed to improved systems and methods for sterilization by sequestering count sheets in locations that are easily accessible to hospital personnel.[0004]2. Description of Related Art[0005]Open top surgical trays are conventionally wrapped in a sterilization wrap which is generally a non-woven fabric (but can be a woven textile fabric) with surgical instruments inside to form what is typically referred to as a sterilization pack. By way of further example, a rigid sterilization container with a lid may also be used, someti...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0022]In accordance with a further aspect, the cover portion of the count sheet holder can include a front face, a back face, and a perimeter bead that is received by a complementary bead defined in body portion. The count sheet holder can further include at least one outwardly extending tab on at least one of the cover portion and body portion to facilitate opening or closure of the count sheet holder. If desired, the count sheet holder can further include at least one vent to permit air or other gas to be evacuated from the compartment. In one aspect, the count sheet holder can include an interlocking bead along two parallel sides of the count sheet holder. The fastener of the count sheet holder can include a hook and loop fastener for removably attaching the count sheet holder to the sterilization container. In one embodiment, the fastener of the count sheet holder includes a foam tape for removably attaching the count sheet holder to the sterilization container, preferably an acrylic foam type, such as VHB™ foam tapes, commercially available from The Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Co. (“3M”) of St. Paul, Minn.

Problems solved by technology

Persons have recognized that count sheets can cause problems in sterilization.

This can result in toxic chemical contamination or other contamination, possibly endangering the health and safety of the patient.

While those of skill in the art can attempt to remedy this situation by placing the count sheet in packaging such as a paper bag, peel pack or the like within the sterilization pack or container, this still requires the package to be opened to confirm the contents of the container, which simultaneously compromises the sterility of the instruments, possibly requiring re-sterilization.

This can unduly damage the count sheet, to say nothing of possibly introducing one or more staples into the OR that may not be noticed and accounted for.

This can damage the count sheet, but removal of the tape from the wrap can tear the wrap, compromising sterility of the sterilization pack, thereby requiring re-sterilization.

Some have attempted to tape count sheets to sterilization wraps inside of paper bags, but this presents the same problem with tearing the wrap, and presents the additional disadvantage of not being able to view the count sheet in any respect without tearing the bag and removing the count sheet from the bag.

However, this can lead to a number of problems.

This can lead to a sense of false security of sterility of the count sheet.

If the peel pack is later opened in the sterile field of the Operating Room (“OR”), the sterile field is compromised, thereby jeopardizing the procedure, the patient, and / or generally resulting in delaying the procedure until the sterile field can be reestablished, which typically requires all instruments in the tray to be re-sterilized.

Use of the peel pack is also inconvenience because it requires tape to be peeled off of the wrap of the sterilization pack, which can tear a hole in the wrap, and compromise the sterility of the pack once sterilized.

As will be appreciated from the above discussion, the approaches present in the art are inadequate for a variety of reasons.

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