A scrub tech is part of the team of medical professionals working in the operating room. These professionals play an essential role in setting up the room prior to the surgical procedure, including preparing all of the instruments and equipment.
One of the most important roles of the scrub tech is completing all the sterile practices prior to and during the procedure. During the surgery, the scrub tech provides sterile instruments as needed, ensuring that only sterile instruments are used in the process. This is a critical factor of scrub tech safety, but it is one that can be difficult to maintain during a procedure.
Challenges in Scrub Tech Safety
A significant challenge in scrub tech safety is the handling of exposed needles and sharp surgical instruments. Even though the team has standard protocols for passing and handling these instruments, mistakes and needlesticks can easily occur due to fatigue, multitasking, or simply not focusing on the process.
Despite being extremely thorough in sterilizing equipment and handling needles and other instruments to maintain their sterile condition until use, contamination can occur. If the scrub tech does not notice the issue, there is an increased risk of potential concern for the patient.
Using a device that allows the surgeon to close the wound at her or his own pace and without the need for a scrub tech is instrumental in reducing safety concerns. A device that holds the sterile, pre-threaded needles in the correct place for the surgeon eliminates the need for scrub tech and also eliminates the risk of needlestick issues.
To add to scrub tech safety, Sharp Fluidics offers the Operative Armour Products that offers a Needle Trap and Barrier Kit. For more details, contact them today.
