ProcedurePak® and the EU Sharps Directive

Thu, 16 May 2013 11:38:00 +0200

Ensure the highest safety for your O.R. teams and patients by making the right component choices and complying with the EU Sharps Directive with ProcedurePak^® trays.

Mölnlycke Health Care offers safety components with safety-engineered protection mechanisms and products that support the implementation of safer procedures in the operating room to increase safety for O.R. teams and patients both.

Example of components that can be incorporated into existing and new ProcedurePak trays

Needles

With the assortment of safety hypodermic needles, recapping is no longer an issue. The offer fits both luer lock and luer slip syringes. One of the top components is the BD Eclipse™ needle. The easy, single-handed activation of the safety shield is combined with a second click that indicates a safe and irreversible cover of the needle tip.

Scalpel

Scalpels with retractable blades significantly reduce the risk of getting injured while handling a scalpel and during disposal. The blade of scalpel does not need to be removed, just retracted before disposal. The Mölnlycke range of safety scalpels covers all common sizes offered by leading manufacturers.

Blade remover

In case you prefer a reusable scalpel handle, you will need a safety blade remover. It allows removal of all sizes of blades and keeps the contaminated blade visible for post-operative counting.

Magnetic instrument pad

A lightweight magnetic drape provides a secure hands-free-transfer zone for metallic instruments as well as a secure retention area during the intervention.

Transfer tray

To avoid injuries caused by passing sharp instruments between the scrub nurse and the surgeon, Mölnlycke Health Care can offer different transfer-tray designs.

Scalpel holder

A scalpel holder secures the interim storage of the scalpel in an upright position for quick and safe handling. The hard material of the device prevents accidental injuries, damage to the drape or table cover.

Needle counter

Mölnlycke Health Care can offer you a wide range of needle counters, enabling you to make the right choice in your tray: foam, magnet, blade remover, transparent lid. The needles can be stored and accessed during the procedure.

Sharps container

In your ProcedurePak trays you can include sharps containers for final storage of your sharps disposal. You only need to choose the right size for your needs.

Smoke evacuation

The use of diathermy devices to dissect tissue and provide haemostasis can generate surgical smoke. To reduce the hazards related to surgical smoke, smoke evacuation has become an effective method to improve the air quality in the O.R. for patients and professionals. ProcedurePak trays offer features, such as the SafeAir™, a single-use diathermy pencil with a fully integrated smoke-evacuation function. It can be connected to other smoke-evacuation systems from Erbe, Valleylab and Megadyne.

Surgical smoke and aerosols during laparoscopic surgery should be evacuated from the peritoneum through a multiple filtration layer with activated carbon filter. Mölnlycke Health Care provides a smoke filter to be connected to the trocar with no leakage.

Time-out drape

Many control routines and preparations need to be performed by the O.R. team before surgery can start. This is to ensure that all details are measured in the correct way.

To make it clear and visible to all members of the O.R. team that the final check has been performed according to protocol, you can place the time-out drape on the surgical site or on the instrument table.

Drain fixation

Mölnlycke Health Care can provide a unique assortment of fixation devices for wound and thoracic drains, epidural and CVC catheters, making the use of sutures for fixation purposes obsolete. Safe anchoring of the drain / catheter reduces movement and accidental displacements. A transparent hydrocolloid cover material allows continuous inspection of the puncture site and provides efficient protection against contamination.

Surgical gloves

Besides the explained components for ProcedurePak trays, Mölnlycke Health Care also provides a full range of Biogel^® surgical gloves. Undetected glove punctures put medical professionals as well as patients at risk. Up to 92 percent of glove punctures go unnoticed during surgery.¹ Our double gloving solution, the Biogel puncture indication system, makes glove punctures visible and supports in the reduction of infection risk for both clinicians and patients.

How to use Avance

Mon, 13 May 2013 16:23:00 +0200

Avance NPWT system, how to apply:

Mepiseal

Gauze

Foam

Understanding and preventing wound blistering

Wed, 08 May 2013 15:50:00 +0200

Post-operative wound blistering can cause pain, discomfort and persistent wound leakage, and carries a risk of surgical site infection. Ousey, Gillibrand and Stephenson undertook a comparative study of the current literature to find a way of reducing the statistical rates of blistering.

A study by Wright estimated the incidence of blistering to be between 13 - 35%. The Polatsch study concluded that 1 in 5 people developed blistering after hip surgery due to tape-related injuries. Roughly 1 in 5 patients in the Clarke study developed blistering when their wounds were treated with conventional adhesive dressings.

Ousey, Gillibrand and Stephenson soon identified a common factor throughout all these studies – namely a statistically significant correlation between the types of dressingsused and the rate of blistering observed. They noted that when dressings maintain a warm, moist healing environment, protect the peri-wound area and do not adhere to the surrounding skin, the rates of post-operative blistering drop.

In Meuleneire’s later study, out of the 80% of the patients suffering from skin lesions as a result of poor dressing choices, a cohort were switched to a thin, self-adherent five-layered absorbent foam with a soft silicone contact layer. None of them (10/10) developed even a minor blister around their postoperative wounds.

Read the article here.

Customer reference case Herz-Jesu Hospital, Münster-Hiltrup, Germany

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:00:00 +0200

With the help of ProcedurePak® the Herz-Jesu Hospital in Münster has increased efficiency across the entire hospital, from purchase through waste disposal. The hospital was able to increase the number of procedures performed by 18 percent. Innovative thinking combined with a flexible approach has enabled the hospital to reduce personnel and overhead costs by EUR 51,000 per year.

“With ProcedurePak trays, the time between procedures has been reduced, increasing our efficiency in the O.R.”

Prof. Dr. Rüdiger Horstmann, Head Surgeon

“Now we need less storage space, we can react faster and our waste disposal costs have been reduced.”

Manuela Zwiener, Purchaser

“The relationship with Mölnlycke Health Care is not a typical supplier-to-buyer relationship; it is more of a strategic partnership, in which Mölnlycke Health Care contributes many valuable ideas, enabling our hospital to become more efficient and perform better from a commercial perspective.”

Leopold Lauenstein, Managing Director

Reducing stress and streamlining the ordering process

Another improvement is a less stressful atmosphere in the operating room, improving working conditions for staff. It is also easier for the purchasing department to order all items needed for a procedure. The ordering process for some procedures is streamlined even more because a combined tray is used. Efficiency has been increased across the whole hospital, from purchasing through waste disposal.

For further information, please download the full case study from Herz-Jesu Hospital, Münster-Hiltrup, Germany.

You can also watch a short video from Herz-Jesu Hospital, Münster-Hiltrup, Germany.

How to use Mepilex Transfer Ag

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 09:57:00 +0100

How to use Mepilex Transfer Ag

Always clean the wound prior to applying a dressing. The dressing should overlap the wound bed by at least 2-5 cm onto the surrounding skin. Use a secondary absorbent layer appropiate for the level of exudates e.g. Mextra Superabsorbent or Mesorb. Use Tubifast when Fixation is necessary.

Application video of Mepilex Transfer:

How to cut Mepilex Transfer Ag on the hand:

How to cut Mepilex Transfer Ag on the elbow:

Intra-patient controlled trial of Mepilex Lite dressings

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 15:18:00 +0100

Details of the Patersen Mepilex Lite trial

Aims:

This article reports on the results of a randomised controlled trial that was undertaken to assess the effect of Mepilex Lite dressings on the full range of radiotherapy-induced skin reactions of breast cancer patients post-mastectomy.

Methods:

A total of 80 women were recruited from four hospitals in New Zealand with 74 women contributing a full data set for analysis. The first skin area on the chest wall to develop erythema was randomly divided into two similar halves; one was treated with Mepilex Lite dressings, the other half with aqueous cream. Skin reactions were assessed using the Radiation-Induced Skin Reaction Assessment Scale.

Results:

Compared with aqueous cream, Mepilex Lite dressings did not significantly reduce the incidence of moist desquamation, however they did reduce the overall severity of skin reactions by 41% (p<0.001), the average moist desquamation score by 49% (p=0.043) and the sum of the moist desquamation time for all patches by 28% from 25 to 18 weeks. Most patients preferred the dressings, found them easy to use and very comfortable to wear.

Conclusions:

Mepilex Lite dressings reduce all aspects of radiation-induced skin reactions.

For more information: http://www.omicsonline.org/jcsthome.php

Meet Patries Herst

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 14:03:00 +0100

Hear Dr. Patries Herst talk about the new and exciting study: Mepilex Lite Dressings for Radiation-Induced Skin Reactions.

Dr Patries Herst is a senior lecturer in the Department of Radiation Therapy at the Medical School of the University of Otago in Wellington, New Zealand. She teaches undergraduate and postgraduate radiation therapy students and has been running small clinical trials in New Zealand for many years. Because Patries is passionate about improving the quality of life of cancer patients, her clinical trials try out new treatments that may be better at preventing and treating radiation-induced side effects, such as skin reactions, mouth ulcers, cystitis, diarrhoea and nausea.

Are you complying with the EU Sharps Directve?

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 16:20:00 +0100

The EU Sharps Directive took effect on 11 May. Are you complying?

Mölnlycke Health Care can help you fulfil the requirements of the EU Sharps Directive and offer the support you need to ensure that your workplace is the safest it can be from needlestick and other sharps injuries. From the Biogel^® range of surgical gloves and its innovative puncture-indication system to the availability of safety components as a part of ProcedurePak^® trays to the overall commitment to safety and efficiency, Mölnlycke Health Care can be a partner in helping you achieve full compliance with the EU Sharps Directive.

The EU Sharps Directive

What is the EU Sharps Directive and when does it take effect?

The EU Sharps Directive sets forth a framework for implementing a European-level initiative for adopting best practices to ensure the safest possible working environment for healthcare workers.

On 10 May 2010, the directive was introduced as a way to prevent injuries and blood-borne infections to healthcare workers from sharp instruments. European Union member states must implement directive provisions within their national legislation by 11 May 2013.

Why is the EU Sharps Directive being introduced?

The EU Sharps Directive came about in response to the fact that needlestick injuries are one of the most serious health and safety threats for healthcare workers. In fact, an estimated one million needlestick injuries occur in Europe each year¹, not taking into account the number of unreported events. These injuries are of concern as they bear the danger of infections by blood-borne pathogens including hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. It probably goes without saying that needlestick injuries, in addition to being expensive, cause severe distress for affected healthcare workers and their families². In the UK it is estimated that needlestick injuries cause costs of approximately 500,000 GBP per year for each NHS Trust.³

What information is contained in the EU Sharps Directive?

The EU Sharps Directive sets a framework in place that includes measures for how to address risk assessment, risk prevention, training and information, awareness raising and monitoring and response and follow-up procedures in relation to sharps injuries.

More information

To read more information about the directive, please consult the additional information below:

EU Sharps Directive – COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 2010/32/EU
European Biosafety Network – Toolkit for Implementation of European Directive on Prevention from Sharps Injuries in Member States

In light of the EU Sharps Directive, Mölnlycke Health Care is able to offer a selection of safety devices that have engineered features built into the product design to assist in preventing needlestick injuries. These components can be incorporated into current ProcedurePak^® tray specification(s) and into any new tray configurations.

In addition, Biogel^® indication systems support the Directive by offering better protection than just standard double gloving. Available in both latex and non-latex, they have a 97 percent accuracy rate in identifying punctures⁴ compared to just 8 percent without.

Warming Update webinar 2012: Next steps in patient warming

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 13:00:00 +0100

It is widely known that hypothermia can result from temperature drops that occur during surgical procedures, which can lead to potentially severe health consequences. Highlighting how important patient warming is, how perioperative hypothermia happens, its potential consequences and preventive measures, with an emphasis on pre-warming, Mölnlycke Health Care hosted a Warming Update webinar on November 8, 2012, to illustrate how adopting a critical but simple activity (patient warming) can result in cost savings and reduced risk of complications.

Featuring Dr Dan Sessler from the Cleveland Clinic and Dr Johan Raeder from Oslo University Hospital, renowned experts in this field, the webinar aimed to instruct participants on how and why they need to improve patient warming. In addition, Dr Karin Ganlöv presented Mölnlycke Health Care's BARRIER^® EasyWarm^® solution as one way to combat perioperative hypothermia.

“Importance of patient warming”
Dr Dan Sessler, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Dr Sessler started by describing normal thermoregulation and how this is affected by anaesthesia. He described how hypothermia develops during surgery and how quickly it happens. He moved on to discuss the many well-documented complications of inadvertent intraoperative hypothermia; complications increase significantly already at temperatures below 36°C. Inadvertent hypothermia increases the risk of myocardial events, especially myocardial infarctions, increases bleeding and the need for transfusions, triples the risk of surgical wound infections, prolongs the effects action of anaesthetic (and other) drugs, doubles the time in postoperative recovery, prolongs hospitalisation and in addition, decreases the patient’s well-being, as it reduces thermal comfort. Dr Sessler’s advice was to monitor core body temperature in all patients undergoing surgery planned to last more than 30 minutes and to maintain normothermia (pre-warming helps).

“Pre-warming, why and how?”
Dr Johan Raeder, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, Oslo, Norway
Dr Raeder described in detail the different phases of inadvertent intraoperative hypothermia, and the conventional approaches in counteracting this development. He also showed that current clinical practice fails to prevent the initial drop in temperature occurring immediately after induction of anaesthesia. Regardless of which warming technique is applied, after induction of anaesthesia, the initial post-induction temperature drop occurs anyway. Dr Raeder continued by describing how we can prevent the rapid initial drop in core body temperature by pre-warming the periphery of the patient. He showed evidence from both patients and healthy volunteers. He went on to emphasise the risks of hypothermia. Dr Raeder concluded by emphasising the risks of hypothermia and by advising the introduction of pre-warming as a clinical practice to prevent inadvertent intraoperative hypothermia along with regular patient warming practices.

“BARRIER EasyWarm - a new, innovative patient-warming solution”
Dr Karin Ganlöv, Medical Director, Mölnlycke Health Care
The BARRIER EasyWarm solution is a self-activating warming blanket that generates heat by an exothermic reaction and starts to warm up as soon as it is removed from its outer packaging and comes in contact with air. Since the warming blanket has no additional equipment it can be put on the patient before surgery, i.e. be used for pre warming, and can then stay with the patient both during and after surgery. It is regarded as very easy and quick to set up and use.

Below is a brief video from the event.

Webinar Q & A: Questions and answers

The drop in temperature visualised/brought up in both Dr Sessler’s and Dr Raeder’s presentations seems very large. Is this valid for all types of surgeries? (Sessler and Raeder)

The initial temperature drop (1-1.5°C) happens before surgery starts, and is caused by induction of general anaesthesia. Further drop(s) during surgery will depend upon the type of surgery.

Redistribution hypothermia results from an internal flow of body heat and is thus essentially independent of the type of surgery. It does, though, depend on the patient’s prior thermal environment. Patients who are kept in a warm (or pre-warmed) environment will have a low core-to-peripheral tissue temperature gradient and thus little redistribution hypothermia. Patients kept in a cool environment in the hours before surgery will have considerable redistribution hypothermia. Studies of redistribution hypothermia usually try to maximise the effect and thus largely represent the latter circumstance. In “real life” the effect might be somewhat less.

Can you repeat the three risks for patient with temperatures that are too low? (Raeder)

Increased rate of infection
Increased bleeding tendency
Increased risk of cardiovascular incidents, especially during recovery (shivering, adrenergic stress)

Most guidelines recommend active warming in surgeries lasting more than 30-60 minutes. As we have seen from the data presented here the temperature drop occurs immediately after anaesthesia induction. Shouldn’t all patients be warmed then? (Sessler)

Personally, I warm all surgical patients. The 30-60 minute window was included in guidelines so that clinicians doing very short operations (i.e., a 10-minute D&C) would not be required to warm. Warming patients during the first 30-60 minutes of anaesthesia doesn’t much change core temperature because core temperature is primarily determined by redistribution hypothermia. Nonetheless, warming does transfer heat into the peripheral thermal compartment and increases mean skin temperature. It thus increases postoperative thermal comfort and speeds overall rewarming.

Is there anything specific one should think about when using BARRIER^® EasyWarm^®? (Ganlöv)

The blanket is very easy to use – you simply open the packaging, unfold the blanket to let it warm up and put the blanket on top of the patient. Here are a few things to consider:

It takes half an hour for the blanket to get warm.
Don’t fold the blanket.
Don’t put pressure on the blanket.
Don’t use on patient with impaired peripheral circulation.
Monitor the patient’s skin regularly, especially post-op.

Download the full Q&A document.

The live webinar event was held in Leipzig, Germany. Several local meetings featuring local speakers were held across Europe in connection with the live event. Please read on for an article from the local Belgium event, which includes interviews with Dr Sessler and Dr Raeder.

How to use the two part BARRIER® EasyWarm®

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 08:00:00 +0100

Learn how to use the two-part BARRIER EasyWarm active self-warming blanket for easy patient warming before, during and after surgery.

The new BARRIER EasyWarm has been launched in a few selected markets as a limited edition. Its benefits include greater flexibility of use, allowing the user to divide the product into two parts and reassemble the parts into one. The new version of the blanket is also bigger overall.

You can also download a product sheet with instructions for use (pdf).

Instructions for use

	1. Tear package open using precut tab located in top left corner. Remove the blanket from the outer protective package to expose BARRIER EasyWarm to air.
	2. Open and unfold BARRIER EasyWarm completely and do not fold it over itself. Blanket will self-warm to an average of 40°C in 30 minutes once exposed to oxygen in air, and keep it’s temperature up to 10 hours.
	3. Place BARRIER EasyWarm with warming pads facing up with the white side of the blanket towards patient.
	4. During the pre- and post operative period, and during surgical interventions on hand, arms and head, place BARRIER EasyWarm over the entire body.
	5. For surgical intervention in the lower abdominal area and lower extremities split BARRIER EasyWarm and place the upper part over extremities and chest.
	6. For surgical interventions above the genital area split BARRIER EasyWarm and place the lower part over the legs and hip.
	7. For surgical interventions in the abdominal area split BARRIER EasyWarm and place the upper part over extremities and chests and place the lower part over the legs and hip.
	8. The blanket’s upper and lower part can easily be detached and re-attached via the velcro. The lower part can be splitted into additionally two parts by cutting it at indicated line. This enables the blanket to suit different surgical patient positions.

General information

Do not fold the blanket over itself.
Remove from patient before X-ray or MRI since the warming pads are not translucent.
Warming pads should be placed facing up.
It is recommended to avoid direct skin contact in areas with bruising, swelling and frostbite. In patients with impaired sensibility, reactivity or communication, skin response should be monitored regularly in accordance with hospital protocol.
After use, dispose the blanket with regular waste. Possible to incinerate.
To be handled under supervision of healthcare provider.

Precautions

The blanket is an active therapeutical device and must be handled according to instructions in order to avoid possible thermal injuries.
Avoid blanket use in hyperbaric medicine.
The blanket is not designed to be used in pediatric surgery.

Surgical patient positions

The BARRIER EasyWarm blanket is designed to be flexible and suited for many different types of surgical interventions. Please see below suggestions on how to place the blanket for some of the most common surgical patient positions.


Abdominal surgery	Laparoscopic surgery	Knee surgery

Shoulder surgery	Shoulder surgery	Spine surgery

Urology/gynaecology surgery	Urology/gynaecology surgery	Urology/gynaecology surgery

Hip surgery	Hip surgery	ENT surgery

Ergonomic practice in the O.R.: Finding a balance for your well-being

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 16:46:00 +0100

Ergonomic practice goes beyond just common sense – it is a clinically based approach to becoming actively mindful of your actions, movements, strain, and need for breaks and different activity from whatever repetitive work you are doing.

Physically and mentally, the work performed in an operating room is demanding. Ergonomic awareness encompasses both physical and psychological factors – as such, a holistic approach that deals with the mind, body and all the activities, mental and physical, creates the most comprehensive approach to maintaining ergonomic well-being and general good health.

Why ergonomics?

Mölnlycke Health Care considers itself as close partner to and support for O.R. personnel in the grand scheme of providing an end-to-end, safe and efficient patient journey. As a part of supporting the work surgical staff provide, Mölnlycke Health Care wants to help ensure that O.R. staff have the tools and methods they need to cope with their needs.

Being committed to the safety and comfort of O.R. personnel, Mölnlycke Health Care created this package with a physiotherapist who specialises in ergonomics. The aim is to drive awareness of the importance of ergonomic practices and to influence O.R. personnel, in particular O.R. nurses who work in this environment day-in and day-out, to adopt changes in movement patterns and time management in order to enhance performance and promote overall well-being.

Studies show that long-term repetitive performance coupled with time pressure, not taking breaks and insufficient recovery time for muscles leads to an increased risk of musculoskeletal disorders in the long term in addition to short-term pain and discomfort. Moreover, and crucially, repetitive movement, which everyone knows can cause strain and injury, performed in a stressful environment, such as an O.R., doubles the injury risk.

More than just offering an informative guide, our “Ergonomics in the operating room” package provides practical advice on how to handle O.R. ergonomic challenges.

Who should use this ergonomics package?

The O.R. is a high-stress environment that requires such precision and attention to detail that stress and strain is almost a given. Our package is designed especially for O.R. personnel and aims to help them identify and define the risk factors that come into play in their daily work lives.

How can I get more information?

To learn more, please download our ergonomics package:

Brochure: Ergonomics in the O.R.
Pamphlet: Examples of ergonomic challenges and solutions in the O.R.
Posters: Ergonomics in the O.R., Smart on-the-job exercises with resistance band

Watch our ergonomics video

4 smart on-the-job exercises with resistance band to strenghten your back and shoulder muscles.

New In Vitro study! Correlation of silver release and antimicrobial effect of silver

Fri, 21 Dec 2012 09:16:00 +0100

Silver possesses a broad-spectrum antimicrobial action and has therefore been incorporated in a wide range of wound dressings in order to manage and prevent local wound infection. Theoretically, a higher release of silver would result in better inactivation. However, previous studies have not shown any correlation for silver content and antimicrobial effect¹ or correlation for silver release and antimicrobial effect². To our knowledge, the two latter factors have never been determined in the same test system, which may be the reason for lack of correlation. Therefore, the aim was to study the relationship between silver release and antimicrobial effect of silver-containing dressings in the same test system.

Download and read the full poster here.

Read about a recently published study that confirms that Mepilex Ag is a key element to controlling infection and minimising the pain of exuding wounds.

Learn more

O.R efficiency case study: Clinique Saint-Luc, Bouge, Belgium

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 09:45:00 +0100

ProcedurePak trays have for many years played a significant role in the improvement objectives at Clinique Saint-Luc in Bouge, Belgium. A collaborative approach, coupled with in-depth understanding of surgery workflow and needs, means that there are now more than thirty trays in use at the hospital, covering all disciplines and used by all surgeons. The trays are constantly evolving, in line with new techniques and needs. The hospital is currently exploring ways to extend the efficiencies gained with the trays beyond the O.R., and is looking at developing new trays for medical-technical procedures that take place in other hospital locations, outside of the O.R.

“Mölnlycke Health Care understands very well the problems of operating rooms. They’ve invested in an O.R. nurse who understands the development of these famous trays and their revision.”

Angeline Pirard, Head of the Nursing Department

“Mölnlycke Health Care is, for us, professionalism, fast
answers, and adaptation to our hospital’s needs.”

Paul d’Otreppe, General Manager

Focus on process standardization streamlines surgery and delivers major time gains

"The most important challenges in the O.R. are efficiency, sterility and uniformity," says Dr. Alain Beugnies, Head of the Orthopaedic Surgery Department. When all surgeons work with the same tray for a given procedure, it’s quick and easy to complete procedures, even when working with different nurses or in emergency situations. Twenty years ago, a prosthesis operation might have taken two hours. Today, it's performed in less than one hour. Gains like these are due in part to improved surgical techniques, but also due to the standardisation of all of the processes involved in the surgery workflow. Improvements are continually being made to every step in the process, by surgeons, nurses, logistics and purchasing managers, and by suppliers.

Download full case study from Clinique Saint-Luc in Bouge, Belgium (pdf).
Click below to watch video from Clinique Saint-Luc in Bouge, Belgium

ProcedurePak - from concept to delivery at the Southend University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 14:50:00 +0100

Southend University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust had some very specific requirements when it came to introducing ProcedurePak® trays; a close working relationship with Mölnlycke Health Care throughout the implementation and training process enabled for them to now enjoy the benefits of trays ‘customised’ to their needs.

The introduction of ProcedurePak trays was aimed at improving operating room efficiency rather than saving money, but already there have been several other benefits, from time saved in procedures, to ease of use and even reduced stock levels. And though budget was never the main driver, there has been the bonus of a small cost saving too.

Before deciding on ProcedurePak trays the Trust was already working with Mölnlycke Health Care, and a partnership had developed between Mölnlycke Health Care representatives and the Trust’s clinical team. This paid dividends during the ProcedurePak trays implementation process; because the Trust needed a number of changes to meet its exact requirements and had to make several revisions to reflect new practice, it meant that the tray contents were re-specified more than once.

Support was provided from Mölnlycke Health Care’s account manager and clinical specialists. Clive Cambridge, Head of Purchasing and Supply at the Trust explains: “They were so responsive and also very good at managing our end users’ expectations on availability, because once the contents were agreed upon everyone wanted to have them straight away!”

Training was provided at the hospital and a customer service team put in place and the benefits were quick to come through. ProcedurePak trays save time and add convenience because it means that what used to take five or six minutes to prepare can be done in one. The impact on performance has been considerable. Clive adds: “Customised trays are new for us and we worked with Mölnlycke Health Care from concept to delivery. I am happy and my end user is happy, because ProcedurePak trays make life easier and improve efficiency. I would recommend ProcedurePak trays to others.”

Smooth implementation of ProcedurePak at the NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 14:26:00 +0100

Following the successful award onto the National Framework for customised procedure trays in Scotland in 2011, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde awarded Mölnlycke Health Care sole supply for all customised procedure trays across their 11 hospitals incorporating 124 theatres. An implementation project of this scale required specialist support. Mölnlycke Health Care set up a cross-function project team to ensure a smooth transition from the existing supplier to ProcedurePak® trays.

Ongoing communication between Mölnlycke Health Care’s clinical specialists, account manager, customer representatives and the hospital’s end users in the surgical teams enabled a smooth implementation process. Angela McGranaghan, Commodity Manager at NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde explains how Mölnlycke Health Care made it very easy to move to ProcedurePak trays: “I have really valued the support throughout the implementation. Mölnlycke Health Care have managed the whole process from start to finish keeping me up to date on its progress allowing me to work on other projects across the trust. It could have been difficult but they were organised and persistent with the clinical staff to ensure all trays were signed off quickly”.

After a successful implementation, the benefits of ProcedurePak trays are now starting to make an impact. The trays were well received across their hospitals as Mölnlycke Health Care is held in such high regard by the clinical users. Angela comments: “It takes a weight off my mind knowing that things are being done properly. Mölnlycke Health Care are polar opposites from our previous supplier... the products arrive on time and are of a high quality”.

Support from Mölnlycke Health Care’s clinical specialists really helped with the efficient introduction of ProcedurePak trays at Glasgow Royal Infirmary. From initial tray specification to finalisation of contents and sign off, the support from the Mölnlycke Health Care team has really made a difference, with clear implementation plans and delivery dates.

Kathryn Jolly, Orthopaedic Theatre Sister, was the Trust’s clinical lead in the implementation process. She comments: “Communication and support from the ProcedurePak team was excellent throughout. Based on the experience we have had with Mölnlycke Health Care and the service they have provided I would more than likely choose them again and recommend them to other Trusts.”

With the first trays now in use, there has been an immediate cost saving, and additional improvements to stock level management. Any initial queries about tray contents and use have been handled well, usually with face to face meetings on site, and the Trust has now completed its first PaKCheck* – the three-month tray review designed to improve efficiency, identify savings and accurately forecast future use.

*This service goes under the name PaKCheck in UK and is named differently in other markets.

Experiences of Diabetic Foot Ulcer – Perspectives of Patients and Health Professionals

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 14:55:00 +0100

This study aimed to look at the experiences of patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFU) and to the views of health professionals, or ‘clinicians’. Exploring patient and clinician perspectives helps us to consider ways in which DFU care can be improved.

What was the findings?

Click here to find out!

Pressure ulcer prevention - C Tod Brindle on positioning Mepilex Border Sacrum to fit better

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 10:42:00 +0100

During this year’s World union congress in Japan C Tod Brindle held an in booth presentation explaining the concept of the multilayer silicone foam dressings for pressure ulcer prevention. He also answered some of the most frequent questions asked around pressure ulcer prevention. Hear him answer the question:

Can Mepilex Border Sacrum be positioned upside down to make it fit better?

You will find more Questions and Answers by Tod Brindle and other experts in our Ask the experts section

Read more about our solutions for Pressure ulcer prevention in ‘Our Solutions’ section

Our product Mepilex Border Sacrum can be used for pressure ulcer prevention read about it and other products here

Pressure ulcer prevention - C Tod Brindle on risk criteria to consider to identify patients who could benefit from the use of Mepilex Border Sacrum within their prevention plan

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 10:42:00 +0100

What are the key additional risk criteria to consider to identify patients who could benefit from the use of Mepilex Border Sacrum within their prevention plan?

You will find more Questions and Answers by Tod Brindle and other experts in our Ask the experts section

Read more about our solutions for Pressure ulcer prevention in ‘Our Solutions’ section

Our product Mepilex Border Sacrum can be used for pressure ulcer prevention read about it and other products here

Pressure ulcer prevention - C Tod Brindle on tools that can be used for risk calculation

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 10:42:00 +0100

The adaptive braden assessment tool is used to calculate risk when incorporating dressings into prevention. Can others be used?

You will find more Questions and Answers by Tod Brindle and other experts in our Ask the experts section

Read more about our solutions for Pressure ulcer prevention in ‘Our Solutions’ section

Our product Mepilex Border Sacrum can be used for pressure ulcer prevention read about it and other products here

C Tod Brindle - Construction matters: The use of multilayer silicone foam dressings for pressure ulcer prevention

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 10:09:00 +0100

During this year’s World Union congress in Yokohama, Japan C Tod Brindle (MSN, RN, ET, CWOCN) held an in booth presentation explaining the concept of the multilayer silicone dressing for pressure ulcer prevention. The presentation was exclusively recorded for the visitors to molnlycke.com

Tod Brindle, MSN, RN, ET, CWOCN is a wound and ostomy consultant for the VCU Medical Center Wound Care Team. Tod lectures nationally and internationally in his specialty area of complex abdominal wound and fistula management as well as pressure ulcer prevention in high risk populations. Tod is well published in pressure ulcer prevention in high risk populations, system wide pressure ulcer prevention, as well as complex wound and fistula management. He works on a dynamic 8 member Wound and Ostomy Team at VCU and specifically provides physician and nursing consultation for the Surgical Trauma ICU, Cardiothoracic ICU and the Evans-Haynes Burn Center.

Tod Brindle also answered some of the most frequent questions asked around pressure ulcer prevention. One of the questions was:

The adaptive braden assessment tool is used to calculate risk when incorporating dressings into prevention. Can others be used?

More questions and answers from Tod Brindle and other experts can be found in our Ask the experts section

Read about our Solution for pressure ulcer prevention here

Draping instruction for BARRIER® Hand and foot set

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 15:00:00 +0100

Learn how to drape with the BARRIER® Hand and foot set by watching the instructions below or download the product sheet (PDF)

Foot Drape
	1. Unfold the table cover and place it under the patient’s leg. Hold the foot drape with the instruction label in the correct direction, long end to the head.
	2. Place the drape over the patient’s foot. Reach through the elastic opening and grasp the patient's foot.
	3. Unfold the drape over the foot.
	4. Unfold the upper part of the drape over the anesthetic frame.
Hand Drape
	1. Unfold the table cover and place it under the patient’s hand. Place the drape in the direction indicated by the instruction label.
	2. Place the drape over the patient’s hand. Reach through the elastic opening and grasp the patient's hand.
	3. Unfold the drape over the anesthetic frame.
	4. Unfold the drape over the foot end of the OP table.

Draping instruction for BARRIER® surgical drape for shoulder surgery

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 16:17:00 +0100

Learn how to drape with the BARRIER® shoulder surgical drape by watching the video and instructions below or download the product sheet (PDF)

	1. Start by placing the stockinette over the hand without unfolding
	2. Note the direction of the pictogram on the first split sheet.
	3. Position the split below the arm. Unfold the drape side to side and then towards the patient’s feet. Unfold the split section towards the feet.
	4. Unfold the stockinette. Fold the absorbent comfort layer of the stockinette in on itself to avoid the risk of microbial transfer. Fix it with the OP-tape.
	5. Remove the release paper on the split sheet. Then apply the split as low as possible around the shoulder of the patient.
	6. Note the direction of the pictogram on the second split sheet. Unfold the drape side to side and then towards the patient’s head. Remove the release papers.
	7. Apply the second split overlapping, but not directly on top of, the first split sheet to form a secure barrier.
	8. Shape the pouch with the integrated flexi wires. Draping is then completed.

Draping instruction for BARRIER® surgical drape for Hip surgery

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 15:17:00 +0100

Learn how to drape with the BARRIER® Hip surgical drape by watching the video and instructions below or download the product sheet (PDF)

	1. Start by unfolding the table cover and place it under the patient’s leg.
	2. Cover the leg with the stockinet. Fold the absorbent comfort layer of the stockinet in on itself to avoid the risk of microbial transfer. Fix it with the OP-tape.
	3. Place the split sheet under the patient’s leg.
	4. First unfold the sides of the sheet and then towards the feet. Remove the release paper.
	5. Apply the split around and under the genital area and along the body. Fasten the other side along the hip and side of the patient.
	6. Remove the middle release paper of the anaesthesia drape. Place your hand inside the folding of the drape and place it on the patient.
	7. Partly unfold the drape and remove the 2nd and 3rd release papers. Continue unfolding the drape, first towards you and then away from you.
	8. Unfold fully towards the patient’s head. Draping is then completed.

Draping instruction for BARRIER® Universal surgical drape for various surgeries

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 14:45:00 +0100

Learn how to drape with the BARRIER® Universal surgical drape by watching the video instructions below.

Infographic - The cost of treatment & benefits of prevention

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 12:10:00 +0100

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ProcedurePak® and the EU Sharps Directive

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Pressure ulcer prevention - C Tod Brindle on positioning Mepilex Border Sacrum to fit better

Pressure ulcer prevention - C Tod Brindle on risk criteria to consider to identify patients who could benefit from the use of Mepilex Border Sacrum within their prevention plan

Pressure ulcer prevention - C Tod Brindle on tools that can be used for risk calculation

C Tod Brindle - Construction matters: The use of multilayer silicone foam dressings for pressure ulcer prevention

Draping instruction for BARRIER® Hand and foot set

Foot Drape

Hand Drape

Draping instruction for BARRIER® surgical drape for shoulder surgery

Draping instruction for BARRIER® surgical drape for Hip surgery

Draping instruction for BARRIER® Universal surgical drape for various surgeries

Infographic - The cost of treatment & benefits of prevention