Medline is set to launch its new PerforMAX pOweR scrub at the upcoming Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses' 59th Annual Congress in New Orleans taking place in March. The scrub, which Medline says is the industry's first-ever line of long-sleeved OR scrubs, was designed by Medline and Myrna Chang, DHA, RN, CNOR, director of perioperative services and sterile processing at O’Connor Hospital in San Jose, Calif.
Dr. Chang and Jennifer Walrich, a senior product manager at Medline, whose team worked with Dr. Chang on the design of PerforMAX pOweR scrub, discuss why there is a need in the market for a long-sleeved scrub, how Dr. Chang became involved in its development and partnership with Medline, and what other clinical leaders can learn from her experience in working to bring an idea to reality.
Q: What challenges are presented by existing long-sleeve scrub jackets/scrub warm ups on the market that would necessitate development of an alternative?
Dr. Myrna Chang: Let me tell you what the operating room is like. It's a sterile environment intended to reduce the risk of infecting the patient. The scrubbed personnel wear gowns and protective apparel to reduce the chance of infecting themselves and the patient. But it's also cold in the OR so the gowns keep them warm.
AORN and OSHA guidelines advise non-scrubbed personnel to wear a long-sleeve warm-up jacket in the OR to prevent skin shedding because infection can result if the arms are not covered. It is well known that bacteria from the skin and hair falling out during prep time and while personnel navigate through the OR taking care of patients can increase the risk of infecting the patient.
The traditional long-sleeve warm-up jackets currently on the market are made to be loose fitting. The material hangs down from the arms and could potentially drag across the patient's skin during the skin prep process, contaminating the surgical site and possibly putting the patient at-risk for infection after surgery.
Another challenge is finding clothing that is comfortable and also looks good.
Q: What would you say is "special" about this scrub and why should organizations consider it for use?
MC: These new scrubs have a snug-fitting long sleeve sewn directly into the short sleeves of the scrub top. The sleeves are made of a material similar to high-performance athletic apparel that fits snugly around the arms to provide comfort and breathability.
Nurses in the OR have to perform for a long time during surgery, so they need material that will hold up over time and that is also comfortable. The sleeves on the PerforMAX scrubs are less likely to come into contact with the patient, which will prevent contamination of the sterile field. This complies with the AORN and OSHA guidelines while also keeping the nurses warm in the OR and providing a fashionable layered look-- something that we never had in the OR.
Jennifer Walrich: Also, for the first time in the AORN standards and guidelines, [AORN] indicated all OR scrubs should be laundered at a HLAC-accredited commercial laundry, not taken home to be laundered. Because the scrubs have to be laundered in a commercial laundry, they need to be reversible. One of the major costs for a laundry is labor. So if a scrub comes inside out in the laundry, they're not going to take the time to put it right-side out before they serve it back to their customer, so it has to be reversible.
Creating a reversible scrub top with an inset long sleeve was a challenge, and it took a great deal of design time and engineering time to figure out how to manufacture it. In addition to its unique tight-fitting sleeve that protects the patient and keeps the caregiver warm, just constructing it from a manufacturing point of view is pretty unique as well.
Q: Dr. Chang, what was your involvement in development of the scrub top and how did you work with Medline on it?
MC: Both Medline and I had the idea for long-sleeved scrubs independently. I came to Medline with some specific ideas from a user and clinician perspective. Medline and I collaborated extremely well on its design and performance, which is really great. It's a practical partnership. To bring the clinical perspective and practical perspective to Medline is probably one of the best things I’ve ever done in my career. Medline is our longstanding vendor partner. I feel really fortunate that they're forward-thinking and open to new ideas.
When I introduced this idea, they were very open and excited to work with me. We exchanged ideas back and forth, tested a prototype, trialed the prototype and together we came up with the final product. It was a very gratifying experience. For someone who has never been involved in the clothing industry or developing a new product, they put me at ease and helped me understand products, textiles and things they do on their end. It was a very good learning experience.
JW: Myrna came to us with her idea [in June 2011] through our local sales rep. I had talked about a long-sleeve scrub shirt at a sales meeting with our sales reps in April. This particular rep kept that in the back of her mind, and when Myrna had a discussion with her about the idea, that's what brought the two of us together.
Q: Ms. Walrich, how often is Medline approached with ideas?
JW: Actually quite frequently. Maybe more than you would expect. We get a lot of ideas from our customers, and we're always more than willing to entertain them, and in this case, it was perfect timing.
Q: How do you think you will feel when the PerforMAX pOweR scrub launches at the AORN Annual Congress?
MC: More than ecstatic. I was really very proud that I came up with an idea that could help my fellow clinicians solve a problem. To see it come to life is an amazing experience. I can't believe how easy and enjoyable it was to work with Jennifer and the rest of her team. They shared the same vision I did on this scrub, and they're just as excited as I am to share this with nurses everywhere. I never thought I could do something like this.
JW: I'm very excited for Myrna, and very excited for Medline. Medline's foundation is in textiles; we have a really strong history of innovation, especially in scrub apparel, and it's just nice to be a part of that and create a product that will help our customers.
Q: Dr. Chang, people have ideas for new products and solutions all the time but few actually have the opportunity to make their ideas a reality. What do you hope other nurses and clinical leaders learn from your efforts to help launch a scrub that aims to overcome challenges presented by existing products?
MC: It's usually difficult to get ideas off the ground because we clinicians are not sure who to take those ideas to. My message is if I can do it, anybody can. There are people and companies out there in business that are willing to work with clinicians, and Medline is one of those companies. I'm very lucky to partner with Medline.
I would encourage people to always use creative thoughts when something is wrong. Don't stop pursuing your ideas because even the simplest idea can turn into something big that would support clinicians in the OR, such as in this case, and provide patients with the highest quality and safest care.
As more and more regulations change, and as more research is done, people will find that there are always things we need to do to improve the way we provide patient care. Nurses or whoever is working on the clinical side should not hesitate to bring forth ideas no matter how simple they are.
Learn more about Medline and the PerforMAX pOweR scrub.
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