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Exsanguinators and tourniquets: do we need to change our practice?
Zubin J Daruwalla1, Fiachra Rowan, Margaret Finnegan
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tallaght Hospital, Blessington Road, Dublin 24, Ireland. zubinjimmydaruwalla@rcsi.ie
Summary
Orthopaedic theatre staff demonstrated poor understanding of exsanguinators and tourniquets, scoring below 50% on knowledge assessments. Additionally, exsanguinators showed higher rates of microbial contamination, highlighting a need for improved training and sterile practices.
Area of Science:
- Orthopaedic Surgery
- Medical Device Sterility
- Healthcare Education
Background:
- Exsanguinators and tourniquets are critical in orthopaedic procedures.
- Ensuring proper use and sterility is vital to prevent patient harm.
- Current staff knowledge regarding these devices is not well-documented.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the knowledge of orthopaedic theatre personnel regarding exsanguinator and tourniquet use.
- To assess the microbial contamination levels of these devices in clinical settings.
- To identify areas for educational improvement in operating theatres.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire was administered to theatre staff involved in device application.
- Microbiology cultures and sensitivity swabs were collected from devices.
- Data analysis focused on questionnaire scores and culture results.
Main Results:
- The average score across all participants was 30.9%, with no one exceeding 49%.
- Exsanguinators yielded a higher incidence of positive microbial cultures compared to tourniquets.
- Significant knowledge gaps were identified among staff.
Conclusions:
- There is a clear deficiency in staff understanding of exsanguinator and tourniquet protocols.
- The findings underscore the necessity for enhanced educational programs for theatre personnel.
- Implementing targeted training can improve patient safety and device management.
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