“The use of protective equipment in the procedure area seems easy to accomplish, but I’m often surprised to find that facilities aren’t utilizing their PPE properly or in the most effective way”, shares Helene Levenson, RN, BSN, Senior Consultant of Clinical Operations at Cardinal Health.
“Sometimes, they simply forget to use the appropriate gear because it’s not easy to access.”
One common issue is related to eye protection. When a staff member is scrubbed in, that individual should be wearing eye protection. If a scrub tech is exposed to bodily fluids, this becomes not only an issue for that employee’s health, but also a liability for the entire facility.
Whether it’s a face shield or goggles, wearing the proper gear is an easy fix that can prevent a multitude of problems. It is recommended that facilities store their eye protection at the scrub sinks. With this minor change, staff have a visual reminder to don their gear and it becomes part of their routine. This makes it easy for staff to be compliant and safe.
Learn more about Cardinal Health’s ASC services here.