Wrap It Up : The Pros and Cons of Instrument Packaging cotton and polyester blend and allows for appropriate air removal , sterilant penetration , and package drying during the sterilization process . Like any tool in our medical-grade toolbox , the reusable cloth wrap must meet standards : each layer of the wrap must have a thread count of 140 threads per square inch and instruments must be wrapped in two layers of the material to meet barrier requirements . While the benefits of the reusable muslin wrap are myriad , including that it is easy to handle , soft , and easily wrapped around instruments of any shape , there are some things to consider when using woven sterilization wraps .
By Mary Olivera , MHA , CRCST , CHL , FCS
In the 19th century , surgeons performed procedures on wide awake ( but restrained ) patients , then wiped down their surgical instruments , popped them back in their wooden instrument boxes , and went on their merry way . As a general rule , they did not follow now-standard aseptic procedures , wash their hands between patients , or sterilize instruments before loading the kit onto their horse wagons . There were no decontamination procedures , packaging guidelines , or sterilization recommendations to adhere to . In short , surgery was a sterile processing department ( SPD ) tech ’ s nightmare .
As surgery evolved and new standards were established , doctors and researchers began to pay attention to germs , infections , and the life-saving potential of sterilizing and decontaminating instruments . Dr . Joseph Lister ’ s early studies on germs and infections led to the regular sterilization of instruments and laid the groundwork for today ’ s SPD practices .
But sterilizing instruments is just one part of the process that can keep patients from developing surgical site infections ( or worse ). Keeping instruments sterile from SPD to the OR is just as important as sterilizing them in the first place .
That is where wraps come in . Instrument wraps keep sterilized surgical tools safe and free of contaminants until the moment they are unwrapped . Our wrap arsenal now goes beyond canvas , paper , two-way crepe paper , and muslin cloth wrap , though we are seeing a resurgence in muslin cloth wraps in SPDs across the country .
Read on for the advantages and disadvantages of the most commonly used materials for transporting surgical instruments .
Reusable muslin cloth wrap ( woven ) A reusable woven muslin cloth wrap is usually made of
●Muslin cloth wraps have a life cycle . Muslin cloth wraps can only be used a certain number of times before they are deemed unusable . SPDs must track laundering and sterilization cycles , and the wrap must be discarded once it reaches the number of cycles established in the instructions for use ( IFU ) from the manufacturer , usually about 75 times . Some manufacturers help SPDs keep track of cycles by stamping a grid on the wrap . The grid should be marked with an “ X ” every time the cloth is laundered . When the grid is full , the wrap should be discarded .
●They must be carefully inspected . Like all things in the SPD , muslin wraps must be carefully inspected . In the case of the wraps , techs should inspect for holes , lint , and stains before they are used . An SPD tech or the laundry team can use a lighted table to inspect for holes , and an adhesive lint roller to remove any debris or lint from the wrap . The wrap should be placed in a bin to be recycled if any holes or stains are found .
●Especially after sterilization . Packages must be inspected at the end of the sterilization process to ensure the wrap is not wet or otherwise compromised . The sterilization equipment must be fine-tuned to ensure the drying cycle completely dries the packages .
●They are not damage proof . Muslin-wrapped packages can be damaged easily if handled inappropriately . The most commonly seen issues are abrasion holes and stains .
●They can wear out . The barrier the woven wrap provides is reduced each time the wrap is used . The manufacturer ’ s IFU must be followed to ensure the sterility of the package .
●There are lots of specifics to follow . There are wrapping techniques , sterilization cycles , package weight limits , and maximum chamber loading configuration limits that must be followed when using reusable wraps .
●Packages do not stay sterile indefinitely . The shelf life of muslin-wrapped packages could be limited to 30 days or a time limit set by the manufacturer ’ s IFU .
Non-Woven Disposable Wrap The non-woven disposable wrap has revolutionized SPDs and